Score: Elmira College 82, Penn College of Technology 47
Records: Elmira (2-4), Penn College (0-2)
Location: Bardo Gymnasium -- Williamsport, PA
 
Williamsport, PA -- Elmira College women's basketball used a 60-to-27 advantage on the boards to control tonight's game and cruise to a decisive 82-47 win on the road against Penn College of Technology. Second-year talent Danielle Cleary '18 paced the Elmira offense with a game-high 20-point performance to go along with eight rebounds.
 
Elmira took a five point lead in the opening four minutes of the first quarter but Penn College clawed its way back into the opening period, tying the score four different times before EC closed it out with a 22-18 lead. Third-year guardMarissa Silverman '17 set the tone on offense for the Soaring Eagles in the first, scoring six of her career-high 12 points.
 
The second quarter was a much different story, as Elmira tightened things up defensively, which eventually turned into a double-digit lead, 36-24, heading into the halftime break. The first 7:38 of the quarter was dominated by the Soaring Eagles, as EC outscored the Wildcats 12-to-2.
 
Following the break, Elmira focused on maintaining its first double-digit halftime lead of the season, and thanks to a 16-point third quarter by Cleary, EC went on to put the game out of reach. Cleary began the quarter with a layup in the first 20 seconds and went on to score 10 of Elmira's first 14 points of the second half, putting the Soaring Eagles way out in front, 50-30 with 4:22 to play.
 
Once again, Elmira's defense was key in the third quarter, as the Purple and Gold held the Wildcats to just two points for the remaining 4:22. Elmira went on to score 14 points during that time, including back-to-back layups from Rachel Vespucci '19 to close out the quarter. Vespucci went on to score a career-high 13 points in tonight's contest.
 
Elmira carried the momentum from its monster third quarter into the fourth, as the Soaring Eagles extended their lead to as many as 35 on two different occasions during the final 10 minutes. Silverman led the charge in the final stanza, scoring six points, as the Purple and Gold closed out the Wildcats, 82-47.
 
In Their Own Words…
Coach Shannon Howley on how her team played tonight…
"We didn't shoot the ball particularly well but in the second half we attacked the boards, which was huge. Rachel Vespucci and Meghan Loya did a great job on the boards for us tonight."
 
Coach Howley on Cleary's play…
"She actually let the game come to her tonight. After missing some three's in the first half she made a couple of adjustments. She is going to have to continue to do that as the season goes along. I think her success comes on her willingness to be aggressive and take shots. I challenged her, saying that if she wants to be a great player, then she needs to be a complete player. I think she has improved in all facets and it shows. Her rebounding on both sides of the floor has been a huge factor."
 
Coach Howley on the play of her bench, who scored 39 points…
"We need to get consistent scoring and more importantly defense from our bench. Tonight, Marissa and Rachel stepped up and knocked down some shots. Rachel also did some damage on the boards and did a great job getting to the free throw line."
 
Turning Point
Although Elmira held a double-digit lead at halftime, there is no doubt that tonight's game was won in the third quarter. Elmira outscored Penn College 28-8 in the third and held the Wildcats to just two points in the final 4:22. EC held Penn College to 4-of-19 shooting from the floor (21.1%) and also forced four Wildcat turnovers. Additionally, Elmira outrebounded Penn College 22-to-8, with 12 of EC's rebounds coming on the offensive glass.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Elmira went 31-for-82 (37.8%) from the floor, while Penn College was 16-for-52 (30.8%).
• Neither team was particularly good from three-point range, as the two teams shot a combined 5-for-33 (15.2%) from distance.
• EC dominated the glass, outrebounding the Wildcats 60-to-27.
• The Soaring Eagles grabbed a season-high 34 offensive rebounds.
• Free throw shooting was also a plus for Elmira, as EC went 18-for-23 (78.3 %).
• As a team, Elmira made a season-high nine steals.
• Elmira's bench played a key role in tonight's win, scoring 39 of the team's 82-point total.
• The Elmira bench also pulled down 24 of the team's 36 rebounds.
• 12 different players scored at least two points tonight.
• Cleary led the way with a game-high 20 points and eight rebounds.
• Vespucci and Silverman chipped-in with career-highs of 13 and 12 points, respectively.
• Vespucci also grabbed a career-best seven boards.
• Allie Olsen '16 finished with a game-high five assists off the bench.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira's 82-point total is a season-high and the most scored by the Soaring Eagles since last year's 88-66 win over the Wildcats.
• EC's 60 rebounds are also a season-best and the most since the 2014-15 season finale, when Elmira grabbed 61 boards against Alfred University.
• Elmira's 34 offensive rebounds are the most the team has recorded in over 14 years.
• Elmira's 34 offensive boards also marks just the third time in the last 14 years the Soaring Eagles have logged 30 or more.
• EC did a decent job protecting the ball, committing a season-low 13 turnovers.
• Elmira's 35-point win is the program's most lopsided victory since the 2011-12 season, when the Soaring Eagles downed the Wildcats by 52.
• Cleary has scored 20 or more in five consecutive games and is averaging 23.8 points per game during that stretch.

 
Up Next
Elmira continues its three-game road tour on Wednesday, December 9th, when the Soaring Eagles travel to face SUNY Cortland. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.