POTSDAM, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Women's Basketball was upended 56-50 at SUNY Potsdam this afternoon.
The Gators, playing on back-to-back weekend afternoons to open the New Year, had a trio tally twin figures and held the host Bears just 33.3 percent shooting from the field and only three made three-pointers during the Saturday matinee.
Junior guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City) topped RSC in scoring for the fourth-straight game with 12 points, while sophomore forward Kallie Hopkins (Millsboro, DE/Poly Tech) and senior guard Olivia Huneau (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) chipped in with 11 points apiece. Hopkins and Acosta each grabbed seven boards in the non-conference setback.
After SUNY Potsdam (4-5) capitalized upon a 15-2 run spanning 4:46 of the third quarter to go up double-digits, the RSC defense continued its strong effort to get back into the matinee. The Bears only had three made field goals in the final period, including just one during the final 6:03. However, they were able to do enough at the line to hold off the visiting Gators.
Senior forward Jenna Cotter registered a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds to pace SUNY Potsdam. She was one of four Bears to score in double figures.
Looking ahead, RSC (1-6) begins Empire 8 Conference play on Tuesday at Keuka.
Gator Bites with Papa John's: The season marks the first with Michael Branche as the Head Coach of RSC Women's Basketball…He had been an assistant women's basketball coach since July 2020…12 players, making up just shy of 94 percent of the team scoring return for the Gators…The dozen combine with five newcomers on this year's squad…Acosta, and junior forward Aniyah Kelley (New Castle, DE/William Penn), and senior guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coyemans-Selkirk) headline the returning Gators…Huneau, Sanderson, and senior guard Malena Gereau (Schroon Lake, NY/Schroon Lake Central) were voted captains of the team.
