Elmira, NY -- Maria Thannhauser '14 scored a season-high 20 points to guide the Elmira College women's basketball team (13-4, 5-2 E8) to a 64-57 win over Utica College (5-13 0-10 E8).  With the win, Elmira secured their first winning season since 2006-07.

Thannhauser went 8-of-15 from the field today, scoring 18 of her game's 20 points from the field, including two made three-point baskets, which puts her in a two-way tie for 10th place in college history with 83 career three-point field goals.  With 20 points today, and 18 the previous night, Thannhauser moved into seventh place on Elmira's all-time scoring list with 940 career points. 

Jessica Zoltowski '14 was not far behind, scoring 16 points in today's win, marking the 24th straight time she has recorded double-digit points.  Her 16 points also ups her career total to 1,442, just 15 shy of tying Elmira's all-time scoring record, set by Mary Kay Babcock '82 during the 1981-82 season.

Elmira had a strong start to today's game as they opened the first half with a mini 8-0 run, holding the Pioneers scoreless for almost the first seven minutes of action.  Utica would eventually trim the Soaring Eagles' lead to 15-11 at the 9:38 mark, but an 11-3 run over the next two minutes would put Elmira back in the driver's seat with a 26-14 lead. 

Utica would make another push at the end of the half, cutting Elmira's lead to just four with 3:40 to play in the half, but EC would end up taking a 32-26 lead into the break.  Thannhauser paced the Soaring Eagles in the first half, scoring 10 points, six of those points coming from beyond the arc.

In the second half, Elmira would build their lead back to 12 points and watch it dip to as low as five with 9:19 remaining in regulation.   However, Elmira would regain their 12 point advantage and would have it hover around seven points as the Soaring Eagles would go on to claim a 64-57 victory.  Zoltowski played a major role in closing out today's game as her 11 points in the second half helped Elmira hold onto their 13th win of the season. 

Elmira will be back in action this Tuesday, February 4th when Elmira hosts Alfred University for an Empire 8 matchup during EC's Neon Night.  Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium and fans are encouraged to wear neon shirts for a chance to win some great prizes.