Gators drop heartbreaker at Union, 52-51

January 23, 2014

Gators drop heartbreaker at Union, 52-51

Russell Sage College

8-6

Union

10-4

Final

Russell Sage College 8-6

Union 10-4

Box Score

Schenectady, NY –The Sage College women's basketball team travelled to Union College on Thursday night for a non-conference contest. Kelsey McDonald recorded a career high 11 assists and Kate Thompson had 16 points with 14 rebounds to lead the Union College women's basketball team to a 52-51 non-league win over The Sage Colleges at the Viniar Athletic Center Thursday night. The Dutchwomen, winners of three straight, improved to 10-4 while the Gators fell to 8-6.

McDonald eclipsed her previous career mark of eight assists and McDonald posted her first double double of the season and second straight double digit rebounding effort. Union got six points each from Cailin Schmeer, Madeline Granato and Natalie Leone. Brittney Kenney added nine rebounds and the Dutchwomen shot 36% while finishing with a 55-40 rebounding advantage.

Junior guard Megan Bowman (Dannemora, NY/Saranac) led the Gators with a career high 25 points, besting her previous high of 18. She also had five assists and now has 255 career assists, which ranks No. 4 all-time at Sage. Rookie Krystyn Knockwood (Troy, NY/Troy) had a team-high and career-high 12 rebounds and junior Lea McClain (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) and rookie Frankie Pearson (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls Central) scored seven points each. Sage shot 30% for the night.

Union jumped out to a 21-9 lead with 7:32 left in the first half after a layup by Schmeer, and led by 10 at halftime, 32-22. The Dutchwomen outscored the guests, 20-8 in the paint in the first half. Union led by 14 after a Thompson layup, making it 38-24 with 17:16 left in the second half. It was a 12 point lead after a three pointer by Amy Fisher for Union (43-31 with 11:33 to play). But Sage went on a 18-4 surge over the next 7:04 to take a 49-47 lead with a Pearson layup. Union tied it at 1:55 on a Kristin Schmidt layup, but sophomore forward Sara Tironi's (Cambridge, NY/Cambridge Central) basket at 1:22 gave the Gators a 51-49 lead. With 1:08 to play, McDonald's basket tied it at 51-51, and she completed the three point play with a free throw for the lead. A mid-court three pointer in the final seconds for Sage fell short.