Score: Ithaca College 90, Elmira College 56
Records: Ithaca (7-6, 4-1 E8), Elmira (3-10, 0-4 E8)
Location: Ben Light Gymnasium – Ithaca, NY

Ithaca, NY -- The Elmira College women's basketball team was defeated by Ithaca College, 90-56, on the road at Ben Light Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

The Soaring Eagles and Bombers played to a 4-4 tie in the early minutes of the first quarter, but a scoring drought over the following 3:01 gave Ithaca a lead it would never relinquish. A three-pointer from Danielle Cleary '18 at the 2:07 mark in the opening quarter brought the EC bench to its feet while cutting the deficit to six points, 17-11, but the Bombers finished the period on a 9-0 run to swing momentum completely in their favor.

Ithaca ran away with the game from there, and held a 47-23 advantage at halftime.

EC shot the ball much better in the second half after a bleak 29.0 field-goal percentage in the first 20 minutes of action, as the Soaring Eagles went 11-for-26 (42.3 percent) from the field in third and fourth quarters.

Elmira finished the game strong, outscoring the Bombers 18-15 in the final quarter. First-year forward Rachel Vespucci '19, who has seen an increasing amount of playing time over the last week, capped off a career performance with 10 of her season-high 16 points in the fourth quarter. The Macedon, NY, native finished 7-for-15 from the field, with her seven made field goals marking both game and career highs.

Cleary, a second-year guard from Rochester, NY, tied Vespucci with a game-high 16 points, giving the reigning Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year double-digit points in consecutive games for the first time since December 1-3. Cleary and Vespucci nearly recorded double-doubles, as the duo finished with nine and eight rebounds, respectively.

Turning Point
Ithaca controlled tonight's game from the early stages of the first quarter on, much of that having to do with its ability to force turnovers and receive significant contributions from its bench. The Bombers forced 26 turnovers, a season-high for the Ithaca women, marking just the third time this season they have forced 20 or more. Add to that a 52-point production from its bench, and it is no surprise the Bombers were able to walk away with their fourth conference win of the season.
 
Inside the Box Score

• Elmira made 20-of-57 attempts (35.1%) from the field tonight, but struggled from distance, going 3-for-13 (23.1%).
• EC did a good job converting its free-throw chances; making 13-of-17 attempts (76.5%).
• Ithaca was steady from the floor and from beyond the arc, going 32-for-70 (45.7%) and 10-for-23 (43.5%), respectively.
• The Bombers won the battle of the boards, 44-36.
• Ithaca's bench played a major role tonight, scoring 52 of the team's 90 points.
• Elmira once again struggled to maintain possession of the ball, committing 26 turnovers.
• Vespucci and Cleary led the way on offense with game highs of 16 points apiece.
• The duo also led the charge on the boards, combining for 17 of Elmira's 36 rebounds.
• Cleary pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, while Vespucci grabbed eight.
• Jessica Brooks '16 tied for the game high in steals with three.

 
News and Notes

• Elmira's struggles continued tonight with its fifth consecutive defeat.
• The Soaring Eagles have yet to earn a win in conference play this season.
• Elmira's 56 points are the most the team has scored since its last win on December 12, 2015 against SUNY Potsdam.
• EC's nine steals ties a season high.
• The Purple and Gold produced 11 assists, marking the seventh time this season EC has gone for 10 or more.
• Vespucci produced a season-high 16 points and tied her season-high in rebounds with eight.
• Vespucci has scored double figures in three straight games, a season-long streak for the rookie forward.
• Cleary has back-to-back games with double figures.
• Cleary's nine rebounds are the most she has grabbed since December 12, 2015.

 
Up Next
Elmira returns to action this Friday, January 15th, when the Soaring Eagles travel to take on the Pioneers Utica College in the Empire 8 action. Friday's conference bout is slated for 8:00 p.m.