Elmira, NY -- A 19-0 run in the first half by the Elmira College men's basketball team (8-11, 3-5 E8) turned into a 29 point second half lead and eventually an 80-67 win over visiting Alfred University (14-5, 5-3 E8).  Elmira never trailed in today's game as they controlled play from the opening tip, holding the nation's second-leading scoring offense to just 67 points, 32 lower than their season average.

Elmira's dominating performance was made even sweeter as fourth-year shooting guard Josh Keys '14 scored his 1,000th career point.  He becomes Elmira's first 1,000 point scorer since the 2010-11 season when Bobby DiPiazza '11 reached the 1,000 point milestone. 

"Josh reaching this milestone is very impressive" said head coach Randie Torgalski.  He continues "especially considering the type of player he is because he's always the smallest guy on the court, and he's a shooter.  He is a good college basketball player, great shooter, probably one of the best in the nation and I'm not exaggerating that, he's just outstanding."

Keys finished tonight's contest as the game's leading scorer with 20 points, the first 18 coming from beyond the arc as he went 6-for-11 from range.  His six threes ups his career total to 247, just two shy of tying Elmira's all-time record for career three-pointers and three from sole possession of first place. 

Elmira got off to hot start in tonight's game, opening play with a 19-0 run as EC rode the efforts of Derrick Vogel '14 andChris Cassidy '14.  Both players scored six points apiece as all of Vogel's came from beyond the arc and Cassidy's all on layups. 

Alfred would claw their way back into the game, cutting Elmira's lead to just seven with 2:49 to play.  However, Elmira would manage to take a 37-26 lead into halftime, despite having three major players in foul trouble as Oladapo Badmos '17, Vogel, and Cassidy each entered the break with three fouls apiece.

Credit a large part of Elmira's first half success to their ability to score in the paint as 16 of their first half's 37 points came in the lane.  Keys led all first half scorers with nine points, while Cassidy and Vogel each chipped in with eight. 

In the second half, Elmira's lead would hover around 15 points for the first three minutes of play.  Then, starting at the 15:42 mark, Elmira would go on a 15-2 run to take a 58-33 lead with 12:50 to play in regulation.  During that stretch, Keys knocked down two three-pointers for six points while three other EC players contributed with baskets.

Following Elmira's run, the Saxons looked like they might make a mini-run as they scored four straight, but Elmira put away any thoughts of a comeback as they built their lead to 29 points with 7:17 to play.  Alfred would make a collection of baskets to end the game, but posed no real threat to the Soaring Eagles as Elmira marched away with an 80-67 victory.

Along with Keys' 20 points, he also had a career-high five steals.  Cassidy also had a standout game, recording his first double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Vogel was one point shy of doing the same thing as he finished with nine points and 10 assists.  Neil Randolph '15 was Elmira's third player in double figures, finishing with 11 points to go along with five assists.

"Tonight's win gives us a chance to stick our chest out a little bit" said Togkalski. "We still have a long way to go.  We have dug ourselves a pretty good hole to get out of but I think we put some dirt back in it. It definitely gives us some good positive energy going into this weekend and overall it gives us really good life, pep in our step, and gets us ready for the weekend."

Elmira will be back in action this Friday, February 7th when the Soaring Eagles host Hartwick College for an Empire 8 showdown.  Tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium in Elmira, NY.