ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College outscored visiting SUNY Morrisville 25-13 in the fourth quarter of this afternoon's 70-59 victory.

The Gators (3-1), which opened the final stanza on an 11-2 run, had three players score in double figures in the non-conference win.

Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac), the reigning Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year, topped RSC with 16 points, while senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting.

Forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, filled up the stat sheet, contributing 14 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

RSC used a 23-7 first half run to get out to a double-digit lead in the second quarter.  The visiting Mustangs (2-3) responded with a period-closing 8-0 stretch to go into the break trailing 33-29.

Faraj led the Gators with nine first half points, while sophomore guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/RCS) and Pritchard each netted six in the opening 20 minutes.

SUNY Morrisville continued to battle back, holding a 46-45 advantage going to the fourth. RSC opened the frame on an 11-2 run and did not look back from there.  The Mustangs were unable to get closer than five in the final 6:01.

Sophomore guard Malena Gereau (Schroon Lake, NY/Schroon Lake Central) keyed the Gator comeback, scoring all nine of her points in the final frame.

Junior guard/forward Brooke Hammersley recorded a double-double of 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting and 10 rebounds to pace the visitors.

Looking ahead, RSC travels to SUNY-Cobleskill on November 28 for a 5:30 p.m. match-up with the Fighting Tigers. The contest will pit former Gator women's basketball player, Megan Bowman (2011-2015) against her alma mater and former Head Coach Allison Coleman.

Notes: The Gators are coming off a semifinal appearance in the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament…11 players returned from the team…Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac) and senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) highlight the group…Faraj was voted the 2021-22 E8 Rookie of the Year, while Pasinella, a two-time All-Conference selection, opened the season ranked sixth in program records with 120 career made three-pointers…Head coach Allison Coleman began her ninth season at the helm with an overall record of 119-74. 

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