Score: Elmira College 61, Wells College 55
Records: Elmira (6-0), Wells (2-5)
Location: Schwartz Athletic Center -- Aurora, N.Y.
 
AURORA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team used a critical fourth-quarter rally to defeat the Express of Wells College, 61-55, on Sunday afternoon in Aurora, New York, to remain undefeated on the season. Today's win gives the Soaring Eagles their first 6-0 record to start a season in over 36 years.

Senior guard Emily Green '18 led the Purple and Gold in scoring with a season-high 20 points. Green did a lot of her damage at the free-throw line, as she went 6-for-8 from the charity stripe, all eight attempts coming in the fourth-quarter. EC's only other double-digit scorer was junior Sally Hogan '19, who finished the bout with 12 points.

Rachel Vespucci '19 was the Soaring Eagles' best performer in the post, as she hauled in 12 rebounds to go along with seven points. With 12 rebounds, Vespucci has recorded double-digit boards in all but two games this season. Sophomore Lauren Franklin '20 also had a well-rounded day, as she scored seven points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out a career-best seven assists.

Overall, the two teams ended the contest with similar statistics. Elmira slightly outshot their non-conference foes from the field, as EC went 22-for-59 (37.3 percent), while Wells was 21-for-61 (34.4 percent) from the floor. On the block, the Soaring Eagles out-rebounded the Express by a 45-37 margin, EC's third straight game of out-rebounding its opponent. Both teams posted an identical 21 turnovers.

Elmira started the contest off strong, outscoring the Express in both the first and second quarters. Green and Hogan paced EC in the opening half with 10 and eight points, respectively. The Purple and Gold's offense was especially clicking in the second, as they started the quarter on a 13-0 run to take a game-high 17-point lead, 28-11. The push was bookended by a Hogan jumper and a deep trey from Green. A quick rally from Wells drew Elmira's advantage back to just nine points, 30-21, heading into the halftime break.

The Express started to heat up in the third quarter, as they outscored the Soaring Eagles, 24-12, to take a 45-42 lead into the fourth quarter. Wells' impressive play was fueled by an outstanding performance from forward Carley Ryan, who scored 15 of the team's 24 points in the quarter.

Facing a three-point deficit, Elmira did not lose its composure, keeping the margin within five points throughout the fourth. EC started to make a run at the 4:53 mark of the fourth, scoring eight straight points to take a three-point lead, 54-51, at the 2:22 mark. The flurry was started at the free-throw line, as six of the eight points came from the charity stripe.

The Purple and Gold maintained their lead for the remainder of the contest, securing the 61-55 comeback victory.
 
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Shannon Howley shares her general thoughts about today's game…
"Wells played really well today and we struggled in the third period. We faced some adversity, but I am proud of how we responded."
 
Coach Howley on EC's ability to come away with victories in close games…
"We have players with experience and there is no substitute for that. We are getting contributes from different people every game."
 
Coach Howley when asked about Emily Green's performance today…
"She was coming off a strong game at SUNY Cortland and I think she is just playing with confidence. She made big shots when we needed them today."
 
News and Notes

• Elmira improved to 6-0 to start the 2017-18 campaign, the program's best start to a season in over 36 years.
• The six-game win streak is the longest pieced together by the Soaring Eagles since they won 10 in a row from November 23, 2013, to January 20, 2014.
• EC has won six straight games against Wells, improving its all-time record in the series to 6-1.
• Elmira's 37.3 field-goal percentage tied a season high for the team.
• Wells 34.4 field-goal percentage is the second highest for an EC opponent.
• Green's 20 points are a season high.
• With her strong performance, Green also moved into second place on the team in points per game (11.2).
• Hogan's 12-point outing is her second straight game with double-digit points. 
• With 12 rebounds today, Vespucci has posted at least eight in every game this season and has hauled in double-digit boards in all but two games.
• Franklin's seven assists are a career high for the sophomore.

 
Up Next
The EC women will return to its home court inside Speidel Gymnasium on Tuesday, December 5, with a non-league contest against Clarks Summit University. Tip-off is slated to take place at 6:00 p.m.