ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Women's Basketball secured their first win under new head coach Michael Branche on Wednesday evening as they took down the Raptors of Bard 56-52.

The teams played an even first 20 minutes, heading into the locker rooms square at 20. The Gators (1-1) turned it on in the third quarter outscoring Bard (1-2) by six to make it a 43-37 ballgame.

RSC held a 12 point lead with seven to go in the fourth quarter, before Bard went on a 12-5 run to cut the Gator lead to only two. Senior guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coyemans-Selkirk) was fouled and knocked down two free throws with just nine seconds left on the clock to seal the deal on the 56-52 victory. 

Senior guard Olivia Huneau (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) led the way for the Gators with 14 points. Junior guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City) tallied 12 points and five rebounds, while senior guard Malena Gereau (Schroon Lake, NY/Schroon Lake Central) scored seven points and brought down seven rebounds.

Sanderson added nine points, five rebounds, and three assists to fill the stat sheet. Junior forward Emily Zeh (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) grabbed seven rebounds in the victory. 

Bard was paced by Shirley Dong, who led all scorers with 20 points on the evening. 

"The team did a great job of keeping their composure despite shots not falling," shared Branche following the victory. "The fight and determination we had was crucial to weather Bard's runs and finish the game. We had contributions from everyone and overall was a great team effort."

Looking ahead, RSC is back in action next Friday for an afternoon matchup with Gallaudet.

Gator Bites with Papa John's: The season marks the first with Michael Branche as the Head Coach of RSC Women's Basketball…He had been an assistant women's basketball coach since July 2020…12 players, making up just shy of 94 percent of the team scoring return for the Gators…The dozen combine with five newcomers on this year's squad…Junior guard Layla Acosta (Haines City, FL/Haines City), and junior forward Aniyah Kelley (New Castle, DE/William Penn), and senior guard Lauren Sanderson (Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coyemans-Selkirk) headline the returning Gators…Senior guard Olivia Huneau (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes), Sanderson, and senior guard Malena Gereau (Schroon Lake, NY/Schroon Lake Central) were voted captains of the team.