Score: Elmira College 64 – Alfred University 52
Records: Elmira (5-8, 2-3 E8), Alfred (2-14, 0-7 E8)
Location: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena – Alfred, N.Y.

ALFRED, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team won its second-consecutive Empire 8 Conference game, as the Soaring Eagles defeated conference foe Alfred University, 64-52, on Thursday evening.

EC shot the ball very well to start the matchup, as it went on a 9-0 run in the first 4:15 to take a 9-2 lead. In that span, Elmira went 4-for-5 from the floor and four different Soaring Eagles chipped in a bucket of their own.

This hot streak continued into the second quarter, as Elmira went on a 15-4 run to end the half and grow the lead to 33-18. Danielle Cleary '18 started the run with a free throw at the 5:57 mark of the second. Freshman Lauren Franklin '20 was also instrumental in EC's first-half success, as she chipped in 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting to go along with six boards.

Most of the third quarter mirrored the first half, as EC continued to score at will, as the Soaring Eagles used a few small runs to expand the lead to as much as 45-27. Lindsey Heaton '19 gave Elmira the game-high 18-point lead with a trey at the 2:56 mark of the quarter.

Unfortunately for Elmira, the Saxons did not lose their fight, as they went on their own 13-5 run, that spanned the end of the third and the start of the fourth, to cut the lead to 50-43.

With 7:34 remaining, the Soaring Eagles' lead had been cut to seven points and the game's momentum had swung in the home team's favor, however, EC was up for the challenge. Elmira maintained its late lead by making critical free throws down the stretch. In the final six minutes, the Soaring Eagles went a perfect 10-for-10 from the charity stripe.

Cleary led the way for the Soaring Eagles with a game-high 19 points to go along with six boards and four assists. Franklin also made her impact in the contest with her first career double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Heaton rounded out Elmira's double-digit scorers with 13 points. Heaton also chipped in six boards and four assists. Rachel Vespucci '19 fell just two points and two rebounds shy of another double-double, with eight points and eight boards.

Turning Point
With 2:56 remaining in the third quarter, the Soaring Eagles owned a game-high 18-point lead, 45-27, after a Heaton 3-pointer. By the end of the quarter, the Saxons battled back and cut the lead to nine. Alfred's momentum continued into the fourth, as a Demetria Woodard layup slashed the Elmira lead to, 50-43. EC did not lose its composure after the Saxons' run, as the Soaring Eagles went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line in the final six minutes of the game. For the half, EC went 20-for-22 (90.9-percent) from the charity strip. When Elmira faced its toughest adversity of the night, the Soaring Eagles shined and held on to the 12-point victory.

In Their Own Words...
Head Coach Shannon Howley on Elmira's dominating victory over E8 foe Alfred...
"We did a good job of sharing the ball offensively, particularly in the first half. When we move the ball like that, good things happen."

Coach Howley on freshman Lauren Franklin's recently strong play...
"She has started to play more aggressive, and we need her to do that. We also need her size when we play against certain teams."

Coach Howley on Elmira's defense causing 13 steals and 27 turnovers...
"Getting steals is a byproduct of solid defense on the ball and helping on defense. They read the plays well and were able to anticipate the action. They were able to get a lot of deflections and that resulted in steals."

Inside the Box Score

• Neither team shot the ball well in the contest, as the Soaring Eagles went 20-for-59 (33.9%) from the floor.
• On the other side of the court, the Saxons shot 21-for-58 (36.2%) from the field.
• It was a tale of two halves for Elmira's free throw shooting, as EC went 1-for-10 (10.0%) from the line in the first half and 20-for-22 (90.9%) in the second half.
• Alfred, on the other hand, did not do as well from the charity stripe, as it shot 7-for-14 (50.0%) from the line.
• Both programs struggled to shoot the ball from distance, as both teams finished with three 3-point makes.
• The Soaring Eagles out-rebounded the Saxons 46-38.
• Elmira dominated in the assists category, as it posted 13 helpers, compared to Alfred's seven.
• Cleary led all scorers with 19 points.
• Franklin finished with a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.
• Heaton rounded out the EC double-digit scorers with 13 points.
• Heaton and Cleary tied for the team lead with four assists.
• Vespucci finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
• Jamie Wilcox led the Saxons in scoring with 16 points.

News and Notes

• With their second-straight conference victory, the Soaring Eagles improved their overall record to 5-8 and their E8 record to 2-3.
• EC extended its win streak against Alfred to nine games.
• Tonight's win was Elmira's third double-digit win of the season.
• With 15 points and 13 rebounds, Franklin posted the first double-double of her rookie campaign.
• Franklin set new career highs in both points and rebounds.
• Franklin is the first Soaring Eagle freshman to record a double-double since Cleary scored a program-record 37 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the 2014-15 season finale against Alfred on February 21, 2015.
• Since scoring a season-low three points against Hartwick College, Heaton has scored double-digit points in five straight games.
• Vespucci fell just two points and two rebounds shy of recording her fourth-straight double-double and the eighth of her season.
• EC's 13 steals are the second most that it has caused this season.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return home to Speidel Gymnasium for an E8 bout with Ithaca College on Saturday, January 21st. The game is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.