Gators’ Season Ends in E8 Quarterfinals Loss to SUNY Geneseo
In a hard-fought battle, the Russell Sage College women’s basketball team wrapped up their season with a 59-41 defeat against SUNY Geneseo in the Empire 8 Conference Championship quarterfinals.
The Gators gave it their all, but the Knights pulled away with a decisive run and punched their ticket to the semifinals.
This loss closed out a season that, honestly, the Gators can feel proud of—they finished with a 15-11 record.
Senior Layla Acosta led the way with a standout performance, though it just wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
For more details, check out the full article on the Troy Record website.
Key Highlights of the Game
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This game was intense from start to finish, with both teams leaning heavily on their top players.
Acosta was the clear leader for the Gators, putting up 16 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and handing out three assists.
She entered the postseason ranked fourth in the Conference for scoring average.
Acosta managed 10 of her points in the first half, keeping the Gators within reach as they went into halftime trailing just 25-20.
Layla Acosta’s Impact
Acosta’s night really showed off her grit and skill.
She closed out her college career ranked fourth in program history with 1,276 points—a mark that speaks for itself.
Her leadership and ability to score made her a cornerstone for the team all season.
Contributions from Other Key Players
Acosta led the scoring, but she wasn’t alone in making an impact:
- Junior forward Kallie Hopkins: Chipped in nine points and six rebounds, proving again why she’s one of the E8’s top rebounders.
- Graduate student guard Kyla Smith: Added eight points and brought energy on both sides of the ball.
- Senior forward Aniyah Kelley: Tallied seven points, giving the Gators some needed offensive depth.
Team Dynamics and Overall Performance
The Gators showed real resilience and stuck together throughout the night.
They kept things close for most of the game, but SUNY Geneseo’s 16-3 run across the third and fourth quarters put the game out of reach.
SUNY Geneseo’s Dominance
For Geneseo, senior forward Grace Galgano led the charge with 18 points and nine rebounds.
The Knights only trailed for 27 seconds—if that tells you anything about how locked in they were—and now move on to face top-seeded Nazareth in the semifinals.
Game Strategy and Execution
SUNY Geneseo’s strategy really showed in their ability to string together that big run when it mattered most.
Their defense tightened up, and the offense just kept clicking.
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They set the pace and never really let the Gators settle in.
Looking Ahead
So, where does this leave the Gators?
They can look back on a 15-11 record with some satisfaction—there’s a lot to build on.
Layla Acosta leaves behind a legacy, and plenty of other players stepped up throughout the year.
Future Prospects
With seniors like Acosta, Kelley, and Smith moving on, the team’s going to need new leaders.
Junior forward Kallie Hopkins, with her knack for rebounding, seems ready for a bigger role.
It’ll be interesting to see how the younger players develop as the Gators chase a deeper tournament run next season.
Conclusion
The Russell Sage College women’s basketball team saw their season end in the quarterfinals. Still, honestly, they put on some impressive performances and gave fans plenty to remember.
Sure, the Gators didn’t advance, but they’ve got a lot to be proud of. The future? It looks pretty promising, if you ask me.
If you want the full rundown of the game, check out the Troy Record.