ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Women's Basketball defeated Utica University on Saturday afternoon in a one-point thriller, 58-57.
The Gators (4-12/3-5 E8) trailed to the Pioneers after the first quarter, but outscored them 49-41 over the final 30 minutes to pull out the gut-wrenching victory.
The final three minutes of the contest included fourteen points and three lead changes. Guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City) made her presence known in the final stretch, drilling a three to tie the game at 53, and then another on RSC's next position to give the Gators the lead. Acosta's clutch threes were two of four that she hit on the afternoon on her way to a Gator-high fifteen points. The junior added seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the victory.
Sophomore forward Kallie Hopkins (Millsboro, DE/Poly Tech) was the only other Gator in double-digits, recording her first double-double of the season with 13 points and eleven rebounds on 50% shooting. Senior guard Malena Gereau (Schroon Lake, NY/Schroon Lake Central) scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds in the Saturday afternoon Empire 8 conference victory.
Utica University (3-14/1-7 E8) was led by sophomore forward Vanessa Hall, who had nineteen points and eight rebounds. Junior guard McKenzie Simmons filled the statsheet for the Pioneers, registering a double-double of eleven points and ten rebounds, while adding six steals and three assists.
"This was a great team win," shared Head Coach Michael Branche. "We showed great composure throughtout the game. I'm really proud of how they responded from the game Friday night and put it all out there. It's another step toward building a special foundation for this program. We are looking forward to getting back on the court Tuesday."
Looking ahead, RSC returns to the hardwood on Tuesday as they play host to Hartwick.
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 returned for the Gators…The dozen combine with five newcomers on this year's squad…Junior guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City), junior forward Aniyah Kelley (New Castle, DE/William Penn), and senior guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coyemans-Selkirk)hea
