PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Russell Sage College's women's basketball squad was in action on Sunday at No. 22 ranked St. John Fisher College in an Empire 8 contest. RSC took a 39-38 lead at the half, but the Cardinals exploded for 60 second-half points and earned the 98-64 victory. SJFC buried a season-high 15 3-pointers and clinched a berth in the upcoming Empire 8 Championship as they improve to 19-2 overall and 11-1 in the league. RSC moves to 9-12 overall and 5-7 in the E8.
After building a 26-21 lead in the first quarter thanks to 11 points off the bench from Miranda Lynch, Fisher saw its lead shrink to begin the second frame after the Gators tied things up at 29-29 with a 6-1 run.
As the period continued, neither team was able to gain a clear advantage as the score was tied four times over the final four minutes until a late foul by the Cardinals afforded Sage a 39-38 edge at halftime.
Overall for the game, there were eight lead changes and 12 ties before SJFC overpowered the Gators in the second half scoring 30 points in both the third and fourth quarters.
For the game, RSC's senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) led the way with 18 points. She hit 5-of-11 shots from three-point range with three assists and two steals.
Rookie guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/RCS) and sophomore forward Bre Lott (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) both racked up 13 points for the Gators. Lott was a perfect 5-5 from the floor and 3-3 from the free throw line. Senior forward Kyra Oeffler (Green Island, NY/Heatly) collected 10 points with six rebounds as well. Sanderson hauled in four rebounds.
For SJFC, Miranda Lynch poured in 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Amy Gardner added 13 points and five assists while Claire Kruszka netted 11 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals. Sidney Tomasso contributed 10 points and five rebounds while Leah Koonmen produced nine points and eight rebounds over 19 minutes.
On her career, Pasinella, who is a current CoSIDA Academic All-America nominee, now has 741 career points which puts her at 17th on the all-time scoring list at RSC. She also ranks sixth with her 111 career three-point baskets, while her 173 career assists is 15th as well now having played in 69 games as well.
Oeffler stands 12th in career blocks, as she now has 39, while has now played in 71 career games and ranks 29th all-time in appearances.
Looking ahead, RSC hosts the Highlanders of Houghton College on Friday, February 11 at 5:30 p.m.in an Empire 8 match-up.
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