ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College trimmed a 23-point first half deficit to single digits in this afternoon's 60-51 non-conference loss to SUNY Potsdam.
Sophomore guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City) and sophomore forward Aniyah Kelley (New Castle, DE/William Penn) each registered double-doubles in the Gators' home opener. Acosta topped RSC with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Kelley scored 13 points and secured 11 rebounds.
SUNY Potsdam (3-1) outscored the Gators 24-8 in the second quarter to hold a 41-22 advantage at the break. Forward Jakia Howard, a grad student, who led the SUNYAC in scoring last season, helped the Bears get out the large advantage, scoring 24 points in the first half. She finished the game with 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting and 10 rebounds.
Junior guards Carley Hill and Xy'el Bradford recorded 15 and 13 points respectively for the victors.
Down big at the half, RSC climbed back in the game with a 15-5 third quarter. Only ahead by nine to start the fourth, SUNY Potsdam seemingly regained control by opening the period on a 9-2 run. The Gators stayed in it, getting the deficit back to nine multiple times late but no closer.
Following the Thanksgiving break, RSC (1-3) is back in action on Monday at 5:00 pm vs. SUNY Cobleskill.
Gator Bites: The Gators made their second-consecutive appearance in the Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament Semifinals last season…10 players returned from the team…They joined five newcomers to make up this year's roster…Head coach Allison Coleman began her tenth season at the helm with an overall record of 136-84.
