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Pittsford, NY -- The Elmira College women's basketball team (5-2, 1-0 Empire 8) started 2014 in the win column as the Soaring Eagles traveled to Pittsford, NY and rallied for a nine point victory, 64-55, over Nazareth College. EC's win over the Golden Flyers marks their fourth win in a row and the women's first Empire 8 Conference win of the year. This is the first four-game winning streak and the first Empire 8 Conference opening win an Elmira women's basketball team has had since the 2007-08 season.

Elmira jumped out to an early 12-6 lead, but Nazareth quickly responded with a 15-0 run to take a 21-12 lead with just under six minutes remaining in the first half. The Soaring Eagles settled in and chipped away at the Golden Flyer lead, but EC trailed by five points at the intermission, 31-26.

For the second straight game, the Purple and Gold had a stellar second half as the women erased the five-point halftime deficit and took a 46-45 lead with 10:38 left to play. Nazareth regained a one-point advantage two minutes later, but a layup from Jessica Zoltowski '14 sparked a mini 6-0 run that put EC ahead for good. The Soaring Eagles went 10 for 10 from the charity stripe down the stretch as the women sealed the 64-55 victory.

Zoltowski led all scorers with 23 points and contributed 11 rebounds, eight on the defensive end, to pick up her second double-double of the year. Liz Forrest '14 chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds while Maria Thannhauser'14 rounded out Elmira's double-digit scorers with 10 points.

EC received a strong contribution from Alex Balara '15 who filled up the stat sheet in tonight's game.  The junior guard scored six points, dished out five assists, grabbed seven rebounds, recorded five steals, and even threw in a block to round out her night.

The Soaring Eagles have a short turnaround as the women return to the court tomorrow afternoon when they host St. John Fisher College. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium.