COBLESKILL, N.Y. –  Russell Sage College opened 2023 by falling 95-88 at SUNY Cobleskill.

The Gators (2-7), which shot 56.1 percent from the field, including 50.0 percent from beyond the arc, had four players score in double figures in the road setback,

Junior guard/forward Jackson Brown (Latham, NY/Catholic Central/Fredonia State) topped RSC with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting. 

Junior forward Tahirou Hamidou (Bronx, NY/Carolina Basketball Academy/Livingstone) added his first career double-double with 11 points, a career-high, on 5-of-9 shooting, and 10 rebounds.

Sophomore guard Noah Girard (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) and junior guard Darvin Lovette (Syracuse, NY/Redemption Christian Academy/Sullivan County CC) tossed in 14 points apiece. Girard scored 11 of his points in the first half, helping the Gators trail 42-39 at the intermission, while Lovette dished out an RSC-best six assists.

SUNY Cobleskill (11-2), now winners of seven-straight, used a balanced offense in the home win. 

Junior guard Iziah Pigott, one of five Fighting Tigers in twin figures, led the way with 23 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Junior guard Andre Starks and junior center Markel Jenkins each recorded double-doubles tonight. Starks tallied 14 points and 10 assists, while Jenkins contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. 

Tonight was the final non-conference game of the year for RSC. The Gators, currently with an 0-2 Empire 8 Conference ledger, are back in action Friday at Elmira. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm. 

Notes: The Gators, coming off an E8 Conference Championship Tournament appearance, graduated all five starters from last season…Nine players, accounting for just 21.22 percent of scoring and 16.82 percent of rebounding, are back…They joined nine newcomers to make up this year's roster…Sophomore guard Noah Girard (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) and guard Ryan Long (Averill Park, NY/Averill Park), a graduate student, were voted co-captains...Head Coach Brian Barnes, now in his 14th season, began the campaign with a 167-153 overall record.

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