Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College women's basketball team sent their seniors off on a high-note, running past Alfred University, 78-59. Making sure that EC concluded their 2014-15 season with a win was freshman sensation, Danielle Cleary '18, who broke a 36-year old Elmira single-game scoring record with 37 points.
 
Cleary had her way with the Saxon defenders this afternoon, getting to the rim at will for a number of layups and free throw opportunities. She attempted 15 free throws in all and hit 12 of them, which moved her into fourth place on Elmira College's single-season list with 109 made free throws. Cleary also moved into 10th place on the single-season scoring list as her 37 points gave her a total of 355 in 2014-15. In addition to her impressive scoring output, she also grabbed 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
 
Cleary led the charge, but Alex Balara '15 gave yet another stat sheet-stuffing performance in her final game in the Purple and Gold. She recorded a double-double with 17 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, while also adding four assists, three steals, and two blocks. The four assists increased her career total to 200, which ties her with Missy Richvalsky '02 for seventh all-time.
 
Speaking of assists, EC's starting point guard in 2014-15, fellow senior Kelsey Geisler '15, had another strong game running Elmira's offense. She posted five assists and recorded zero turnovers, while also chipping-in two points, six rebounds, and two steals. Geisler's five-assist performance brought her season total to 83, which places her ninth on the single-season list for assists. She also became the first player to crack the top-10 in nine years.
 
After Cleary and Balara, Elmira had one last double-digit performer in Karli Pochkar '16. With Meghan Loya '16 battling foul trouble, Pochkar stepped-up with an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double. Loya, despite playing just 19 minutes, also contributed with seven rebounds and two blocks.
 
Elmira shot just 40.8 percent for the game, and 60.7 percent from the free throw line, but their defense and work on the boards proved to be the difference in today's game. The Saxons were held to 31.3 percent shooting, including 19.4 percent in the second half, and 18.8 percent from three-point range. EC also out-rebounded Alfred, 61-34, with 23 of those coming on the offensive end.
 
The opening half was played at a fast pace as the two teams averaged just 15 seconds per possession and combined for 76 points. The up-and-down flow of the game generated eight lead changes and eight ties as the largest lead for either team was just seven points. That lead was held by the Saxons twice during the first half, first at 26-19, which marked the end of a 7-0 run that broke a 19-19 tie, and again at 28-21. EC, however, used a 7-0 run of their own, spanning just over a minute of the game clock, to tie the score at 28. Alfred retook the lead and led 32-30, but a three-pointer by Cleary sparked a 10-4 run that gave the Purple and Gold a 40-36 lead at the break.
 
Elmira scored back-to-back baskets to open the second half, but their eight-point lead quickly turned into a three-point advantage just minutes later. Alfred kept the game within reach for much of the second half, but the Soaring Eagles began to pull away with under seven minutes to play. Leading 55-51, the Purple and Gold went on an 8-0 run to secure the game's first double-digit advantage and did not let up as they rolled to the 78-59 victory.
 
EC wraps-up their 2014-15 season with a 10-15 overall record and a 6-9 mark in Empire 8 Conference play.