Score: Stevens Institute of Technology 72, Elmira College 62
Records: Stevens (4-5, 1-0 E8), Elmira (8-2, 0-1 E8)
Location: Harwood Arena -- Union, N.J.
 
UNION, N.J. -- A strong second-half by the Stevens Institute of Technology downed the Elmira College women's basketball team, 72-62, in the two teams' Empire 8 Conference opener on Wednesday afternoon. The game took place at Kean University's Harwood Arena due to a water main break on Stevens' campus.

Despite the double-digit final margin, the contest was evenly fought throughout, as the Ducks held slim advantages in field goal percentage (39.7-to-36.5) and rebounds (43-to-39). EC was able to keep the bout close by getting to the free-throw line, as it went 19-for-25 (76.0 percent) from the stripe. On the flip side, the Purple and Gold's main downfall was that it committed 21 turnovers, compared to Stevens' 16, which led to eight fast-break points for the home team.

The Soaring Eagles started the contest off strong, taking a nine-point advantage, 18-9, 8:50 into the first quarter following a 10-0 run. Danielle Cleary '18 shined in the three-minute stretch, as she accounted for five of the 10 points.

Stevens battled back and cut the deficit to just two points, 22-20, following an Alison Criswell and-one free throw 3:12 into the second quarter, which accounted for three of her team-leading eight points in the first half. EC did not relax, however, as a 6-0 push with 3:39 remaining in the half pushed the Elmira advantage back to nine points, 31-22.

Despite losing their momentum, the Ducks fought back and reeled off 10 straight points to take a 32-31 lead of their own with just 1:11 left in the half. This lead was short-lived, however, as an Emily Green '18 3-pointer with just 12 ticks left on the clock sent the Soaring Eagles into the halftime break with a 34-32 advantage.

The start of the second half was not as kind to the Purple and Gold, as Stevens scored the first seven points to take a 39-34 lead over its feathered foe. Elmira was unable to keep pace, as it made just eight baskets in the entirety of the second half, compared to the Ducks' 16. EC's saving grace was its ability to get to the charity stripe, where its 11 made free throws helped keep the margin within double digits. Ultimately, it proved to not be enough, as Stevens held on to its second-half advantage to earn its first conference win of the season.

Cleary paced the Soaring Eagles with 15 points, her fourth consecutive game with double-digit points. Cleary was helped on the offensive end of the court by Lauren Franklin '20, who scored 12 points after going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Lindsey Heaton '19 had an all-around solid performance, as she posted a career-high-tying nine assists to go along with 11 points. Rounding out EC's double-digit scorers was Sally Hogan '19, who scored 10 points, all of which came in the first half.
 
News and Notes

• Elmira suffered just its second loss of the season, which drops its record to 8-2 overall.
• Today's contest marked the start of EC's conference schedule, which places them at 0-1 to start league play.
• Today's game marked the sixth time this season that Elmira has made at least 19 free throws.
• EC's 39 rebounds are tied for a season low for the team.
• The Soaring Eagles committed 21 turnovers this afternoon, which is tied for the second most they have committed in a game this season.
• With 15 points, Cleary has scored in double-digits in four straight games.
• Heaton's nine assists tied a career high for the junior.
• With 10 points today, Hogan has scored double-digit points four times as a junior, a feat that she did not accomplish as an underclassman.
• Franklin's 12 points tied the second-highest scoring total of her sophomore season and stand as her third double-digit scoring output of the year.

 
Up Next
Elmira will not have much time to shake off today's setback, as the Soaring Eagles return to action tomorrow with a home Empire 8 bout against St. John Fisher. Tip-off is scheduled to take place at 8:00 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium.