ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College used a big second half to defeat Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 72-45 this afternoon.

The Gators (6-2), playing their final contest of 2024, outscored the visiting Panthers 47-20 across the final 20 minutes.  Knotted 25-25 at the break, RSC broke open the Sunday matinee with a 27-8 run across 11:21. 

Sophomore guard Jden Golding (Green Cove Springs, FL/Clay) had a career-high 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting to lead the Gators, which will head into 2025 on a three-game winning streak.

Sophomore forward Avery Oduro-Dompreh (Elkridge, MD/Oakland Mills) added a double-double of 12 points on 50.0 percent shooting and 10 rebounds,  

Freshman guard Kyle Dhu (Ozone Park, NY/Brooklyn Law and Tech) and senior forward Todd Williamson (Schenectady, NY/Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons) netted ten points apiece. Dhu established his career-high for points, while Williamson grabbed eight boards and went 5-of-5 from the field.

"With final exams wrapping up tomorrow, we're excited to get the guys a little rest and home to their families for the holidays," said Head Coach Brian Barnes.  "We've worked hard to build our foundation this fall on defense and rebounding and are excited about the continued work ahead. The Empire 8 Conference will be strong once again this season.  We're excited and hungry for our upcoming challenges and to do the work that is required to earn conference wins.  We would like to thank Sage Nation and all of our #GatorFam for tremendous support so far this season.  Looking forward to seeing everyone in the New Year!"

RSC shot 57.1 percent from the field in the second half and limited the Panthers, playing their third contest in four days, to zero made three-pointers across the 40 minutes.

Junior center Brett Richards (Kinderhook, NY/Ichabod Crane) topped ACP (10-2), which entered the day as winners of five-in-a-row, with 19 points on 50.0 percent shooting and nine rebounds.

RSC plays next on Friday, January 3 against visiting SUNY Cobleskill.

Gator Bites: Barnes is in his 16th season at the helm of the Gators...Nine returnees combine with seven newcomers on this year's edition…Senior guard Noah Girard (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) and Williamson were voted co-captains of this year's squad…Girard began the campaign seventh among Gators with 832 career points and fifth with 101 career steals…He headed into his senior season as the program leader with 110 made three pointers...Junior guard Trevor Green (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh/HVCC) helped the Gators go 2-0 this week, tallying 18.0 points per-game on 41.7 percent shooting, 7.0 rebounds per-game, six total steals, and four total blocks.