Score: Elmira College 53, Oswego State 40
Records: Elmira (3-0), Oswego State (1-2)
Location: Oswego, N.Y. -- Max Ziel Gymnasium
OSWEGO, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team improved to 3-0 on the young season by defeating Oswego State by a final score of 53-40 in the Max Ziel Tournament championship, hosted by the Lakers on the home court inside the Max Ziel Gymnasium.
Not only did the Soaring Eagles claim the tournament crown, but with the win the Purple and Gold are off to one of their best starts in nearly two decades. The last time that EC began a season with three consecutive victories was in 1997-98, the year Elmira set a program record with 22 wins after opening 4-0.
Danielle Cleary '18, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, scored a game-high 15 points to lead all scorers in the title game. Fellow senior Emily Green '18 contributed a season-high 12 points and sophomore Lauren Franklin '20 logged her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The Soaring Eagles used a dominate first-half performance to take what proved to be an insurmountable lead over the host Lakers. EC limited Oswego State to a paltry 16.1 field-goal percentage (5-for-31) in the opening half, which combined with 13 turnovers, allowed Elmira to climb ahead 30-12 heading into the intermission. Leading 5-3 in the first quarter, the Soaring Eagles seven straight points, as part of a 17-5 run that bridged into the second quarter.
Oswego State picked up the pace in the third quarter and scored EC 18-11 in the stanza, but 3-pointers from Cleary and Green in the final quarter helped the Soaring Eagles maintain a comfortable cushion.
In Their Own Words…
Head Coach Shannon Howley on Elmira's strong first-half performance…
"We were really good defensively and made them work hard for every shot, even when we gave up offensive boards. Nothing came easy."
Coach Howley on winning the Max Ziel Tournament championship and starting the season 3-0…
"I think they are excited to have played well and accomplish our goal. It's a good feeling. We head into the break with a lot of confidence and hope to use that momentum when we get back on the floor."
Coach Howley when asked about tournament MVP Danielle Cleary…
"She does a lot for us on both ends of floor. You can see the maturity in her game and she made some big shots when we needed them."
News and Notes
- Elmira improved to 3-0 with the victory over Oswego State, the best start to a season in 19 years.
- The three-game win streak is the longest for the Soaring Eagles since beating Gallaudet, Penn College and SUNY Cortland between November 27 and December 1 of last season.
- EC extended its lead in the all-time series against the Lakers to 11-9.
- Six made 3-point field goals are a new single-game season-high for Elmira.
- Cleary was named the Max Ziel Tournament MVP after scoring 15 points in both games over the weekend.
- Rachel Vespucci '19 was also named to the All-Tournament Team after averaging 11.5 points and 11.0 boards per game.
- Green's 12 points against the Lakers are a season high.
- Franklin posted the first double-double of her sophomore season and the second of her collegiate career with a season-best 10 rebounds and 12 points.
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles will travel to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for a non-conference contest against the Pennsylvania College of Technology Wildcats on Monday, November 27. The opening tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.