Elmira College (6-11, 3-5 Empire 8) vs. Ithaca College (10-7, 6-2 Empire 8)
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 | 8:00 P.M. | Speidel Gymnasium – Elmira, NY
Live Coverage | | Twitter: @ECSoaringEagles | Game Notes

Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College women's basketball team opens the second half of the Empire 8 Conference portion of the schedule by hosting Ithaca College at Speidel Gymnasium on Wednesday, January 27th, at 8:00 p.m.

Last Time Out
Elmira ousted Alfred University at home, 63-53, on January 21st. The Soaring Eagles overcame an early deficit in the first quarter to take a two-point lead, 25-23, at the half. EC then raced out of the locker room and jumped ahead by as much as 13. Elmira held a 50-37 advantage in the fourth quarter with 7:25 to play, but the Saxons used an 11-0 run to come within two points of the lead. The momentum switched back to the Soaring Eagles, however, after a triple from Danielle Cleary '18, followed by an Allie Olsen '16 steal and Cleary layup on Alfred's ensuing inbounds play. EC made all of its free throws down the stretch to reach the final score.

Third Time's a Charm
The Purple and Gold are on their first win streak of the season after beating Houghton College and Alfred in back-to-back contests. EC will be seeking its third consecutive win when it takes on Ithaca College on Wednesday. It marks the first time in over a year since the Soaring Eagles have won consecutive games; Elmira defeated Houghton and Hartwick College on January 10-16, 2015. A victory over the Bombers would mark the first three-game win streak since January 31-February 4, 2014.

Rookie Rewards
Lindsey Heaton '19 was crowned the Empire 8 Rookie of the Week on Monday, the second time this season that the first-year guard has been recognized. She averaged 8.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game against Houghton and Alfred. The New Milford, CT, native filled the box score against the Highlanders, logging seven points, five boards, five assists, and four steals, the latter a career high. She then scored nine points and totaled four rebounds, two assists, and one block in the defeat of the Saxons.

Magic Number
The magic number for Elmira's defense – 60. When EC's opponents score less than 60 points in a game, the Soaring Eagles are a perfect 6-0. However, the Purple and Gold are 0-11 when the opposition scores 60 or more. Looking back to the start of the 2012-13 season, it is even more evident that the Soaring Eagles must not surrender more than 60 points in a game. EC is 35-10 when the defense holds opponents under 60 points, but is only 6-42 when giving up more over the last three-plus seasons.

From the Line
Getting to the foul line has been a major key to success for Cleary thus far in the 2015-16 campaign. Her 90 foul shots are ninth on the all-time single-season record list, and with two more, she'll move into sole possession of seventh. In fact, Cleary has a chance to threaten the single-season record, currently held by Jessica Zoltowski '14 (141). The reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Year is on pace for 132 this season. On the career charts, Cleary's 199 made free throws are seventh all-time in EC history. Seven more would allow her to surpass Alex Balara '15 and move into sixth place.

Series History
The Bombers have dominated the all-time series against the Soaring Eagles, as Ithaca enters Wednesday's game with a 46-11 record over EC. The Bombers have won 16 consecutive games in the series, including a 90-56 win at IC's Ben Light Gymnasium earlier this season.

Scouting Ithaca
Since earning the 34-point win over the Soaring Eagles on January 12th, the Bombers have gone 3-1, with their only loss to St. John Fisher College. On the season, Ithaca is 6-2 inside the Empire 8, which is third in the standings behind undefeated Stevens Institute of Technology (7-0) and Fisher (6-0). Ithaca's last game on Saturday, January 23rd, turned out to be a defensive battle for the otherwise high-scoring squad; IC knocked off E8 foe Hartwick College 47-41. The Bombers' 34.0 field-goal percentage (18-for-53) and 14.3 three-point field-goal percentage (3-for-21) were their lowest since their 52-44 loss to William Smith College on December 11th, 2015. Jordan Beers (12.4), Ali Ricchiuti (11.4), and Erin Ferguson (10.6) are all averaging double-digit points for the third-highest scoring offense in the E8 (67.2 points per game).

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles travel to Hoboken, NJ, to battle the Ducks of Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday, January 30th, at 3:00 p.m.