Women’s basketball comes out on top over Russell Sage
Photo courtesy of Geneseoknights.com
This past Saturday, Feb. 21, the Geneseo Knights women's basketball team emerged victorious against Russell Sage, with a score of 59-41. As a result, the team now advances to the Empire 8 semifinals. Several players had outstanding scoring games, leading them to now sit at 18-8 overall and 11-5 in conference play.
The Knights started on fire, outscoring Sage 14-5 in the opening quarter with senior Eva Elliot setting the tone with a fastbreak layup only two seconds in. As Sage’s offense struggled, senior Maggie McGrane swooped in with a three-pointer, aiding them into the second quarter.
Entering the second quarter, Sage started to regain their footing, putting 15 points up on the board. However, senior Grace Galgano was there to put a stop to it, putting up six out of 11 points scored by the Knights during the second quarter. This brought the Knights to a 25-20 lead at halftime.
The Knights remained on top through the third with junior Audrey Hintz making her way to the front with two layups and a jumper. However, Sage still fought back and remained within scoring distance of the Knights at 40-31, leading into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, the Knights made sure Sage was not able to catch up as they put 19 more points on the board, with a final score of 59-41 to win the quarterfinal pairing. Throughout the game, Galgano was a force to be reckoned with on the court, leading the team with 18 points while shooting 8-for-15. Galgano remains a strong figurehead for the team as she was also a top scorer in the Knights’ game against Brockport this previous Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Senior Kristin Suydam was also recorded to achieve a team-high with 13 rebounds and an additional three blocks, with Hintz providing 12 points and three assists. Following their teammates, senior Maddie McGrane and junior Kirstin Suydam put up an excellent front against Sage, both scoring eight points during the game. The performances of Galgano, Hintz, McGrande, Suydam, and senior Eva Elliot were certainly a sight to see as they led their team to victory.
The Knights dominated in entirety throughout the game with 41 rebounds, six steals, ten turnovers, a.426 field-goal percentage, .214 three-point field-goal percentage, and a staggering free-throw percentage of .800. These numbers overshadowed Sage’s 32 rebounds, two steals, 13 turnovers, .280 field-goal percentage, .176 three-point field-goal percentage, and .714 free two percentage.
The Knights and Sage match-up was an amazing game of intensity, grit, and determination. Both teams remained laser focused on the game the entire time, keeping the score close throughout. Sage did not allow the Knights to pull away; however, it was just not enough to keep up with the determination of the Knights, leading to their victorious outcome in the tight game.
In every part of the Knights’ season, they have dominated in both offense and defense, keeping their opponents on edge, which they will likely continue to do in their game against Nazareth in Rochester on Wednesday, Feb. 25, as they ascend to the Empire 8 semifinals. It will be an intense game between Nazareth with an overall record of 22-4, but if the Knights can remain as dominant as they were against Sage, there is no doubt that they will continue to be victorious.