SAGE WOMEN FALL IN BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE TIP-OFF TOURNAMENT, 74-61

Buffalo, NY—The Sage College women’s basketball team opened action on Friday in the Buffalo State College Betty Abgott Tip-Off Tournament. Sage faced the host Bengals of BSC and fell in the opening round, 74-61. Sage drops to 1-2 on the year, while Buffalo State improves to 1-1.

After a first half that featured six lead changes, Buffalo State led by nine at halftime (38-29) and never trailed again in the second game, en route to the 13-point win.  Freshman Kristin Ritch (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Dobbs Ferry) led four Bengals in double figures with 16 points and had four assists.

Divine Sebuharara (Vestal, NY/Vestal) chipped in 13 points, Staci McElroy (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) had 12 points and nine rebounds, and Francesca Reckley (Bronx, NY/DeWitt Clinton) also scored 12. Dee Layne (Brooklyn/East NY Family Acad.) added seven points and had 11 rebounds.

Sage also had four score in double figures, led by junior forward Jessica Byerwalters (Coeymans Hollow, NY/RCS) with 13 points and nine boards. Senior guard Carlin DeMarinis (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) and sophomore forward Kelsey Frament (Waterford/Catholic Central)each had 12. Junior guard Elizabeth Donk (Phelps/Midlakes) had 10 points for the Gators before fouling out with just under six minutes left in the contest.

Sage returns to action on Saturday, November 21 facing Hartwick College in the consolation game at noon. In the other first round contest, Alfred opened the tournament with a 73-52 win over Hartwick College to advance to the championship game at 2 p.m. to face Buffalo State. The Sage-Hartwick contest marks the second time in a week these two team will meet on the hardwood after they met on Sunday. Hartwick would take the season-opener from Sage, 67-60 in OT.