Shawn Backus '21 started all four games for the Soaring Eagles during the holiday break, including both matchups at Wittenberg's 2019 Kiwanis Holiday Classic on December 29-30. In those contests, the junior forward averaged a team-leading 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The Hamden, Connecticut, native ended the break with consecutive 15-point showings, tying a single-game season high. Backus logged 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting (58.3%) to lead Elmira to its first win, 60-55, over Spalding (Ky.) in the consolation round of the Kiwanis Holiday Classic on December 30, before pouring in 15 more in the Empire 8 Conference opener on Saturday against Hartwick.
Heading into tonight's non-conference game against St. Lawrence, Backus leads the Purple and Gold with 11.0 points per game and is tied for first on the team with 4.2 boards per contest.
Backus and the Soaring Eagles are back into action tonight against the Saints of St. Lawrence. Tip off inside Speidel Gymnasium is set for 7:00 p.m.
