ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College began a stretch of three-straight home games by defeating visiting Hartwick 71-58 tonight in Empire 8 Conference action.

Four Gators recorded double figures to help RSC (7-5/3-2 E8) return to the win column.

Sophomore guard Syrita Faraj (Troy, NY/Tamarac), topped all players with 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting. The reigning E8 Rookie of the Year, who shot 55.0 percent from the field, came up with seven steals and a like number of rebounds.

Forward Giuliana Pritchard (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam/Hartwick), a graduate student, registered her sixth double-double of the season, contributing 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, 14 rebounds, three blocks and two assists against her former school.

Senior guard Sammy Pasinella (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) and sophomore guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/RCS) rounded out the quartet with 11 points each.  Sanderson, who made 50.0 percent of her field goal attempts, grabbed six rebounds and dished out a team-high four assists.

Junior forward Bree Farnoli paced the Hawks (3-8/1-4 E8) with 16 points on 6-of-13 shooting. She added eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Trailing 15-13 after the opening period, RSC turned the tide by outscoring Hartwick 26-19 in the second stanza to lead 39-34 at the intermission.  The Gators increased their lead in the third period to go up by ten, 58-48, entering the final quarter.  Hartwick quickly halved the deficit to get within five, before RSC netted the next seven points to regain momentum. The Hawks trailed by double digits from there.

Looking ahead, RSC continues its homestand on Friday versus Medaille. The E8 contest is set to begin at 5:30 pm.

Notes: Freshman guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City) was selected the E8 Rookie of the Week on Monday…She averaged 13.0 points across a pair of contests…The Gators are coming off a semifinal appearance in the E8 Conference Championship Tournament…11 players returned from the team…Faraj and Pasinella highlighted the group…Faraj, the 2021-22 E8 Rookie of the Year, surpassed 500 career points on Dec. 29 vs. Rhode Island College…Pasinella, a two-time All-Conference selection, opened the season ranked sixth in program records with 120 career made three-pointers…Head coach Allison Coleman began her ninth season at the helm with an overall record of 119-74…She secured her 125th career victory on Dec. 3, 2022 vs. Keuka.

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