Elmira, NY -- With eight assists this afternoon, to go along with the 10 he dissed out yesterday, Derrick Vogel '14 of the Elmira College men's basketball team (7-11, 2-5 E8) moved into 10th place in college history for career assists (261) as the Soaring Eagles defeated Utica College (6-13, 1-9 E8), 76-65.  With the win, Elmira successfully completes the season series sweep of the Pioneers, EC's first series sweep over an Empire 8 Conference team since the 2004-05 season.

At halftime of today's game, EC celebrated the 20-year anniversary of the 1993-94 ECAC Upstate Championship men's basketball team.  During halftime, each player was invited to center court to receive a plaque and following introductions, former player Sean McGovern addressed the crowd as did former head coach Kevin Moore. 

Leading the offensive charge for the Soaring Eagles was a pair of forwards in Chris Cassidy '14 and Neil Randolph '15.  Cassidy finished with a game- and season-high 26 points, marking the second straight game the senior forward has gone for 25 or more.  Randolph added another 21 points, his ninth straight game in double figures.  15 of Randolph's points came from beyond the three-point line, upping his career total to 113, placing him ninth in Elmira's history books for career three-pointers, just one shy of moving into eighth place.

Also having a noteworthy game today was Josh Keys '14, who knocked down three three-point attempts, which ups his career total to 241, just eight shy of moving into a two-way tie for first place in Elmira College history for career three-point baskets.  Keys also upped his season three-point total to 55, the 10th most made threes in college history and he is also just 20 points shy of reaching the always coveted 1,000-point plateau. 

Utica had the early advantage in today's game, holding a slim lead for the first nine minutes of play.  However, trailing 15-12, the Soaring Eagles would use a 20-5 run over the next six minutes to take a convincing 32-20 lead, Elmira's largest of the game.  During that stretch, five different EC players recorded points, including Cassidy, who accounted for six of Elmira's 20 points. 

Elmira's 12 point lead would eventually turn into a 36-30 halftime advantage.  Credit Cassidy and Randolph with igniting the Soaring Eagles' offense as the duo combined for 23 of Elmira's 36 first half points.

In the second half, things would get tight as the Pioneers clawed their way to within two points of the Soaring Eagles, 61-59, with 7:00 to play.  However, Elmira would use a 15-6 run to successfully close out Utica College, 76-65. Both Randolph and Cassidy played large roles in the final seven minutes, scoring six points apiece, with all six of Randolph's coming from behind the arc.

The Purple and Gold will look to continue their winning ways as EC hosts Alfred University this Tuesday, February 4th at Elmira's Neon Night.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium and fans are encouraged to wear neon shirts for a chance to win several great prizes.