Elmira College (0-3) vs. Hilbert College (2-2)
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 | 5:00 P.M. | Speidel Gymnasium – Elmira, NY
Live Coverage | Twitter: @ECSoaringEagles | Game Notes

Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College women's basketball team is set to make its debut at home this season when it welcomes Hilbert College for the opening game of a doubleheader with the Elmira men on Tuesday, November 24th. Opening tip-off for the Elmira women is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Last Time Out
The Soaring Eagles posted a pair of solid offensive efforts, but struggled to contain on the defensive end over the weekend, losing a pair of contests at the M-Club Classic, hosted by the University of Mount Union. Danielle Cleary '18 and Lindsey Heaton '19 provided a strong one-two punch in the two games. Cleary scored 20-plus points in both contests, while Heaton scored in double-figures on both days, including 19 against the tournament hosts on Friday. Unfortunately, it would not be enough, as Mount Union grounded the Soaring Eagles 85-71, while Case Western Reserve University took home an 81-65 win over Elmira in the third-place game on Saturday.

Cleary Off to Dynamite Start
There has been no sophomore slump for the reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. Danielle Cleary '18 is off to a fantastic start to her 2015-16 campaign. Through Elmira's first three games, she is averaging a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. She posted back-to-back 20-plus point outings over the weekend at the M-Club Classic, which included a huge double-double with 21 points and a career-high 14 rebounds last Friday against Mount Union.

Heaton is a Hit
Freshman point guard Lindsey Heaton '19 has been sensational in the opening two weeks to her Soaring Eagle career. She has stepped in and immediately provided a strong presence on the ball for Elmira. The first-year leads the team, averaging 3.3 assists per game, while she has not been afraid to create her own shots as well. Through three games, she is averaging 13 points per game, which included back-to-back double-digit point performances over the weekend. She posted an excellent game against the Purple Raiders with 19 points, going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.

All-Time Series
EC's only previous matchup with Hilbert College occurred last season, one that saw the Soaring Eagles defeat the Hawks 63-58 in Hamburg, NY. Karli Pochkar '16 had a monster game for Elmira, posting 15 points and nine rebounds. Kelsey Geisler '15 and Danielle Cleary '18 keyed the perimeter play, chipping in 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Scouting Hilbert
The Hawks have gotten off to a 2-2 start to the 2015-16 season. They began the year with a convincing 78-57 victory over Geneva College in the team's home opener, but have faced stiffer competition in its last three contests. The Hawks dropped 71-69 triple overtime heartbreaker to Houghton College, but rebounded for a seven-point victory two days later at Cazenovia College. The Hawks struggled in their most recent outing, falling to Chatham University 69-49. Hilbert's strength resides in the post, as Shannon Rogers and Katelyn Proy have formed a dynamic combination down low. Both players are averaging double-doubles this season. Rogers leads the team in scoring, averaging 15 points per game, while she has pulled down 14.8 rebounds per contest. Proy leads the team on the glass, pulling down 15.5 boards per game, while chipping in 12.8 points. Kelsi Ebert has been solid at the point, averaging 10.8 points and a team leading 3.3 assists per game.