KEUKA PARK, N.Y. – Russell Sage College won its regular season finale 66-50 this afternoon at Keuka. The victory earned the Gators a spot in the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament.  They will play at Utica in Tuesday's first round game.

The Gators (12-13/8-8 E8), which led 19-8 after the opening quarter and 31-22 at the break, shot 41.5 percent (22-for-53) from the field in the E8 win.

A trio of players scored in double figures this afternoon. Freshman guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac), the reigning E8 Rookie of the Week, led the way with 16 points and seven rebounds. Senior forward Kyra Oeffler (Green Island, NY/Heatly) (above) contributed a double-double of 15 points and ten rebounds, while freshman guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/RCS) added 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

Guard Amelia Poole topped Keuka (1-23/0-16 E8) with 22 points.

Looking ahead, RSC secured the fifth seed in the E8 Conference Tournament and will play at Utica, the four seed, on Tuesday. The time of the first round game is TBA.

Notes: Faraj was named the E8 Rookie of the Week on Monday…It marked the third time that she took home the accolade this season (Nov. 15, Dec. 6, Feb. 14)…The Gators close the regular season by playing five of the final seven games on the road…Senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), who was named first-team All-Conference last season, equaled a program record with eight made three-pointers on Jan. 18 vs. Utica.

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