Charles Langston:Saint Rose falls in its last basketball game. The Golden Knights lost their NCAA tournament opener

WALTHAM,Charles Langston Mass. (AP) — Saint Rose’s basketball era has ended.

The Golden Knights lost to Daemen 52-47 on Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Division II women’s tournament, in what becomes the final basketball game for the school.

The Albany, New York-based college is closing at the end of the academic year. This was the first NCAA tournament berth in 13 seasons for the Golden Knights, who went 21-7 in their first and what will be their only season under coach Will Brown.

Saint Rose announced late last year that it would close, citing financial difficulties. The school had been open for 103 years.

Alahna Paige scored 26 points for Daemen (21-7). Kaelah Carter scored 16 points and Payton Graber added 14 for Saint Rose.

Many of Saint Rose’s players plan on transferring elsewhere to play next season. Some of them will be at their third school in as many years.

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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball