ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College hung with visiting Nazareth, one of four teams that commenced the day with an undefeated Empire 8 Conference ledger, for much of what became a 62-52 home setback.
Senior guard Malena Gereau (Schroon Lake, NY/Schroon Lake Central) led all players with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four steals. The co-captain, who equaled a season-high for points this afternoon, averaged 17.7 points and 9.3 rebounds across three games this week.
Senior guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coyemans-Selkirk) contributed 10 points and six rebounds, while sophomore forward Kallie Hopkins (Millsboro, DE/Poly Tech) registered six points, 10 boards, and three steals.
The Golden Flyers (12-3/6-0 E8), now on a six-game winning streak, utilized a 20-9 run spanning the intermission to turn a two-point advantage into a double-digit one. RSC responded by keeping Nazareth scoreless for more than five minutes in the second half to get within six, 52-46, with 6:31 remaining. The visitors answered with the next ten points to seal the road victory.
Sophomore forward Sarina McDowell topped Nazareth with 16 points.
RSC (3-10/2-4 E8) takes a break from E8 play on Tuesday vs. Westfield State. The non-conference home action is slated to begin at 5:30 PM.
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…Junior guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City), and junior forward Aniyah Kelley (New Castle, DE/William Penn), and Sanderson headline the returning Gators…Acosta, who tops the Gators in scoring, began the week leading the Empire 8 Conference in free throw percentage…As of Monday, RSC was the only program in the Conference with three of the top-14 foul shooters…Senior guard Olivia Huneau (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes), Sanderson, and Gereau were voted captains of the team.
