Elmira, NY – The Elmira College Men's Basketball team led early but struggled to find its offense as it fell to SUNY Fredonia 71-45 Tuesday evening at Speidel Gymnasium. The win improves the Blue Devils to 5-0, while the loss drops the Soaring Eagles to 0-6.

The Purple and Gold got off to a good start taking a three point lead, 16-13, at the 5:12 mark of the first half after a Josh Keys '14 (Bel Air, MD -- CM Wright) three-pointer. Keys carried Elmira offensively in the first half as he was 4-for-6 from long distance and tallied 16 points in the opening 20 minutes. However, the Blue Devils closed the half on a 16-5 run to take a 29-21 lead into intermission. Fredonia had a balanced attack in the first half with Jonathon Herrera leading them with eight points, including back-to-back treys.

EC actually shot better from the field in the second half but was unable to tame the Blue Devil offense as it exploded for 42 points. Fredonia almost doubled up the Purple and Gold on the glass 38-20 in the game. Elmira was effective with its passing as it had 13 assists on 15 made field goals.

Keys led the Soaring Eagles with 18 points, while Kurt Dutcher '14 (Gaylord, MI -- Gaylord) and Derrick Vogel '14 (Bel Air, MD -- CM Wright) added 12 and eight points, respectively. The Blue Devils had four players register in double figures led by 16 from Herrera.

EC returns to the hardwood Saturday when they host St. Lawrence at 4:00 p.m. in Speidel Gymnasium.