Elmira at Stevens Institute of Technology
Game Details	Tuesday, Jan. 2 | Hoboken, N.J. | 7:00 p.m.
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ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Following one of the finest starts in program history during the non-conference slate, the Elmira College women's basketball team will begin Empire 8 Conference play on Tuesday, January 2, at 7:00 p.m. against the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Soaring Eagles picked up their eighth win of the season back on December 21 at the D3 St. Pete Classic in St. Petersburg, Florida, by defeating Ohio Wesleyan 60-55. While EC led by eight points at halftime, the Battling Bishops outscored Elmira 20-7 in the third quarter and took an eight-point advantage of their own, 46-38, after opening the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer. However, the Soaring Eagles shot 58.3 percent from the field (7-of-12) and made 7-of-11 free throws in the final period to seal the comeback. Junior forward Rachel Vespucci '19 paced the Purple and Gold with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Danielle Cleary '18 nearly picked up a double-double of her own by scoring 16 points with nine boards.
 
FROM THE LINE
Cleary's name has been penciled into the EC record books in several places throughout her illustrious career and the Rochester, New York, native is closing in on another one. She entered the 2017-18 campaign third all-time in free throws and, after making 14 more while in Florida, she stands just five foul shots shy of tying Martha Bolduc '97 for second-place all-time (340). Given that Cleary has twice made over 100 free throws in a season, she'll likely reach Jessica Zoltowski '14, who owns Elmira record with 366 career makes from the charity stripe.
 
SCOUTING STEVENS
Last year, Stevens opened with just one non-conference win, but went on to post a 14-2 record against league opponents and finish as the conference tournament runner-up. This season looks to be much of the same, as the Ducks enter conference play with a 3-5 record following a tough non-league schedule. Last time out on December 9, Stevens had a two-game win streak snapped by No. 21 Ithaca, the same team that beat the Ducks in last year's E8 Championship, in an 80-71 loss. Stevens is both scoring and allowing 61.75 points per game, which has the team ranked fifth in the Empire 8 with a 0.0 scoring margin. Despite losing three-time E8 Player of the Year Kaitlyn Astel due to graduation, the Ducks boast a dangerous duo in the post with center Anna Toke, who averages team highs in points (14.9) and rebounds (9.9) per game, and Megan Brown, who ranks second in both categories (14.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg).
 
SERIES HISTORY
Stevens has bested the Elmira women in 19 of the previous 20 meetings since the 2007-08 season. EC's lone win over the Ducks came on the road on February 3, 2012, in a narrow 51-48 triumph.
 
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles return to Speidel Gymnasium on Thursday, January 4, for an 8:00 p.m. conference matchup with the Cardinals of St. John Fisher.