Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's basketball team (3-6, 1-1 E8) fell to St. John Fisher College (9-2, 2-0 E8) 78-68 today. Three players scored double-digits for EC in the loss with
Oladapo Badmos '17 leading all with a game-high 18 points and added four assists and a steal.
Justin Henderson '16 was right behind Badmos, posting 16 points and grabbing two rebounds while
Gino Leonardi '16 dropped 10 points and added two rebounds and two assists in today's action.
Tyler Dibble '15 also chipped in with eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block in the game.
St. John Fisher kicked off the game with a two-point jumper that was answered by a Leonardi three-pointer to give Elmira an early lead. The Cardinals then went on to slowly build upon the lead and found themselves up by nine points with 8:08 left in the first half. Back-to-back three pointers by Badmos and Leonardi cut the deficit to just three points. The Cardinals went on to take an eight point lead with 2:31 left in the half, but the Purple and Gold regrouped and closed the half with a 6-2 run to trail 35-31 heading into the locker room.
Taking advantage of a technical foul assessed to the Cardinals going to the locker room,
Hayden Harkins '18 made two free throws to trail St. John Fisher by just two points. After a layup made by the Cardinals, the Purple and Gold trailed 37-33 and responded with a Henderson three-pointer to trail by just one point. The Soaring Eagles would once again find themselves down by one point after Leonardi made two free throws 1:39 into the second half. St. John Fisher would then respond with four straight points to take a 45-38 lead but Henderson would make another three-point shot to trail by just four points. However, the Cardinals would then score the game's next seven points to take a 52-41 lead with 13:29 left in the game.
Neil Randolph '15 would make a jumper to pull within nine points. St. John Fisher would then go on a 17-8 run to take a 69-51 lead with 6:56 left in the second half. Elmira regrouped and closed the game with a 17-9 run, but it would not be enough as the Purple and Gold fell, 78-68.
The Soaring Eagles will compete next this Tuesday, January 6th when the EC men travel to Alfred University in an Empire 8 Conference matchup. The tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m.
