TROY, N.Y. – Mount Saint Mary College posted a 53-42 victory over the Sage Colleges to earn their second Skyline Conference win. The Knights held off a rally by the Gators in the second half to preserve the win. The Mount improves to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Skyline Conference, while the Gators fall to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the Skyline Conference.

The Knights jumped out to an early lead in the first half and increased their lead to 23-4 with just under four minutes remaining in the first half. At the conclusion of the half, the Knights held a 25-12 advantage.

Sophomore Charnelle Saint-Laurent (Dix Hills, N.Y.) got the Knights off to a promising start in the second half with a three-point basket. The Gators gained momentum, though, with a 10-0 run and just five minutes into the second half, the Mount lead had dwindled to 31-27.

The Gators wouldn't go away, and with three minutes remaining in the game, the Knights held a 45-40 lead. With 1:27 remaining, the Gators made it a one possession game when freshman Chelsea Martin (Davenport, N.Y.) knocked down two free throws to move the score to 45-42. Mount Saint Mary sophomore Charneice McCullough (Wyandanch, N.Y.) drained a three-pointer with one minute remaining to solidify the win for the Knights. McCullough also converted three of her four free throw attempts in the final minute of the game to send the Mount to an 11-point win.

McCullough finished the evening with a team-high 15 points, while senior Jess Tice (Guilderland, N.Y.) contributed nine points. Tice was a defensive presence for the Knights and totaled six blocks on the night in addition to collecting 11 rebounds.

Martin finished with a career-high 16 points for the Gators.

The Knights return to action on Saturday, December 4 at 1:00 p.m. The Mount will look to stay perfect in the Skyline as they host Old Westbury.