By: Provided by Sage Athletics
ALBANY, NY – Sage's women's basketball team hosted the Golden Flyers of Nazareth College on Friday night in a match-up of two of the league's unbeaten teams. The Gators won their fourth straight and improved to 4-0 in Empire 8 play with a 77-67 league win over Nazareth Friday night. The Gators improved to 8-7 overall while the Golden Flyers are 10-4 and 2-1 in league play.
All five starters scored in double figures for the Gators. Sophomore guard Sammy Pasinella (Troy, NY/Mechanicville) led the hosts with 19 points and graduate player Kaitlyn Bowman (Chateaugay, NY/Saranac) scored 15 with a game high of eight assists along with a team leading eight rebounds. Bowman's eight assists were both a career and season high. Junior forward Madasyn Bush (Pottersville, NY/North Warren Central) joined Bowman with the team high eight boards, and Sage got 13 points each from senior Megan Flynn (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls Central) and senior guard Gessica Patregnani (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh). Sage shot 43% for the game and had a 43-38 advantage in rebounding.
Nazareth was led by the double-double of senior forward Rachel Benedict (Brockport, NY/Brockport). She had game highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds, with 10 boards coming on the defensive side. Sophomore forward Jadyn Abrams (Bath, NY/Haverling) scored 21 points, as the two combined for 45 of the 67 points for Naz. The Golden Flyers shot 36% for the game.
Nazareth took a 20-12 lead through the first quarter and led 41-37 at halftime. The Gators held the Golden Flyers to 10 third quarter points and led 55-51 after three.
Sage will be in action on January 18 hosting St. John Fisher College in a 3 p.m. Empire 8 contest, while Nazareth College travels to Utica College for a 4 p.m. E8 game on Saturday.