Box Score

Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's basketball team (9-12, 4-6 E8) suffered a big blow to their Empire 8 playoff chances as the Soaring Eagles dropped a heartbreaking 60-58 decision to Stevens Tech (15-7, 9-3 E8). The loss came on Class of 2014 recognition day where EC paid tribute to the six seniors on this year's team. Oladapo Badmos '17 had the best game of his young career, scoring 15 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

There were two other Soaring Eagles in double-figures in the game as Chris Cassidy '14 and Neil Randolph '15 joined Badmos with 14 and 13 points respectively. Cassidy had an impressive stat line in his second-to-last home game as on top of his 14 points, he pulled down five rebounds, handed out four assists, and recorded one block in 16 minutes of play before fouling out on a pair of controversial blocking fouls early in the second half.

The first 10 minutes of the contest were a back-and-forth affair with neither team leading by more than four points. Stevens took an 11-8 lead with 10:18 left in the first half, but from that point on, EC's defense would lock down and hold the Ducks to just seven points the rest of the way. Throughout that time, the Soaring Eagles put together a 27-7 run that gave the men the 35-18 advantage heading into the locker rooms. Badmos helped spark the huge run with nine points and an assist during the final 10 minutes of play.

Elmira shot 56 percent from the floor in the first half and 40 percent from behind the arc while limiting Stevens to just four made field goals in the opening 20 minutes of play. The only thing keeping the Ducks from trailing by more at the half were the number of free throws each team had been awarded. Stevens hit 10-of-16 from the free throw line while EC made 3-of-4, a seven-point differential.

The Purple and Gold came out strong in the second half, but their fortunes changed with 18:37 left in regulation when Cassidy picked up his fifth personal foul, disqualifying him. Cassidy, who had three fouls at halftime, picked up two personal fouls in the 1:23 span, both of which brought a feeling of disapproval from the fans in attendance. The controversial calls took EC's leading scorer out of the game as Cassidy had a team-high 14 points at the time of his fifth foul.

The Ducks took advantage of the void in the middle as they repeatedly fed the ball down low to Patrick Sabatino, who ended up with a game-high 26 points, 20 of which came after Cassidy fouled out. EC continued to lead by double-digits for the first 10 minutes of the second half, but Stevens continued to chip away at the lead, cutting it to single digits for the first time in nearly 20 minutes of game time with 10:09 to play.

The Ducks tied the score at 52 with 3:16 left in regulation, but the Soaring Eagles showed their resiliency by continuing to go back on top. After the third tie in the final three minutes of play, Stevens broke through to take the lead off yet another controversial call under the basket. David Borelli '15 was whistled for a foul under the basket sending Sabatino to the line for a pair of free throws. Sabatino hit both, giving Stevens the 58-56 lead. EC attempted to tie the game on their next trip down the floor, but were unable to as the men went on to lose the close one, 60-58.

Elmira College and Head Coach Randie Torgalski recognized the six members of the Class of 2014, Derrick Vogel '14, Kurt Dutcher '14, Josh Keys '14, Zak Kumor '14, Chris Cassidy '14, and Matt Newell '14, before the game. The group of seniors is one of the most successful classes over the last decade and has their names scattered throughout the EC record books, highlighted by Keys who owns the career mark for three-pointers made.

The Soaring Eagles will look to rebound from this setback on Friday, February 14th when they travel to Ithaca College for a crucial Empire 8 contest. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Ithaca College.