Saint Rose women's basketball suffers NE-10 quarterfinal setback in program's likely final home game

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The College of Saint Rose women's basketball team has very likely played its final game ever inside Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium. But on the bright side, its just as likely that more basketball still lies ahead for the Golden Knights this season.

After a 21-5 regular season, Saint Rose earned the No. 3 overall seed in the NE-10 tournament and a first-round bye straight through to the quarterfinal round, where the Golden Knights hosted sixth-seeded Southern Connecticut State University in their first home playoff game in 12 years.

Saint Rose had beaten SCSU twice in the regular season, but could not complete the sweep Sunday afternoon, falling 58-53.

It's a disappointingly early tournament exit for Will Brown's bunch, but he strongly believes this loss does not mark the end of the season.

"Just disappointed for our players," said Brown. "We didn't execute defensively like we have all year. I mean, we're the No. 1-ranked defensive team in the country, and if you watched us today, you wouldn't think that. We'll figure out what we're gonna do moving forward, because I told our team that I would be absolutely shocked if we didn't get an NCAA Tournament bid."

The Golden Knights are more than deserving of a bid; they still boast a 21-6 overall record with a win over the No. 1-ranked team in the East Region, Assumption, and two wins over the fourth-ranked team, Southern New Hampshire University.

Saint Rose currently sits third in the East rankings, and considering the top eight teams from the region will make the tournament, the Golden Knights would have to fall drastically to not be selected.

"If we don't get (a bid), I'll jump in my car and drive to Indianapolis," joked Brown. "I think they're still located in Indianapolis, the NCAA, and I'll picket out front."

What the loss does do is stamp out almost any chance of Saint Rose earning a home game in the NCAA Tournament, meaning Sunday's contest was the final one of the season inside Nolan Gym, and because of the college's impending closure, maybe ever.

"Definitely would have loved to play here again," said sophomore guard and Schenectady native/Schalmont graduate Payton Graber, who posted a team-best 18 points in the loss. "Everyone's a little emotional; it's the last game possibly ever in this building. It's hard, but we have a lot of happy memories here, so we'll look back on all those."

The Golden Knights will find out their tournament fate during the selection show next Sunday, March 10, which begins at 10:30 p.m. EST.