Albany, NY---The Sage Colleges women's basketball team hosted Skidmore College on Monday night in the Kahl Campus Center in the season opener for both teams. Skidmore College collected the 62-53 win as junior guard Christina Gargiso (Staten Island, NY/Staten Island Technical) led the way with a game-high 18 points. Skidmore improves to 1-0, while Sage drops to 0-1 on the young season.

Skidmore led 31-30 at the half and the two teams exchanged leads throughout most of the second half before Skidmore took a 41-40 lead at 9:40. Sage fought back and tied the action at 48-48 but Skidmore pulled away. Sage was within striking distance, down by just two points (55-53 at 3:32), but could not pull any closer in the final minutes of play.

Sage's rookie forward Chelsea Martin (Davenport, NY/Jefferson Central) nearly had a double-double in her collegiate debut as she had 10 rebounds with nine points. Sophomore guard Carly Vallee (East Greenbush, NY/Catholic Central) connected for 15 points to lead Sage, while sophomore center Kara Hackett (Peru, NY/Peru Central) collected the double-double for the Gators with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Skidmore had four players finish in double-digits in the victory as junior guard Megan Gaugler (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) had 12 points with nine boards. Rookie guard Jordyn Wartts (St. Louis, MO/Lutheran High North) tallied 11 points in her debut, while junior guard Jessie Kavana (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) finished with 10 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Sage shot an impressive 88.9% from the floor, making 8-of-9 free throws, while Skidmore struggled from the line shooting just 56.3% (18-32).

Sage returns to action on November 19-20 at the Betty Abgott Tip-Off Tournament at Buffalo State College. Sage opens tournament action on Friday at 4 p.m. facing Grove City College. The Thoroughbreds will be hosting a tournament on November 19-20 and will open action on Friday facing Oneonta State at 6 p.m.