ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team challenges Nazareth College to an 8:00 p.m. Empire 8 Conference showdown on Thursday, February 8, at the Kidera Gymnasium in Rochester, New York.
LAST TIME OUT
The Soaring Eagles secured their 12th win of the season on Tuesday, when they defeated Hartwick College by a 74-70 final score at the Hawks' Lambros Arena in Oneonta, New York. EC used hot shooting to secure the victory, as the team posted a season-best 56.5 field-goal percentage (26-for-46).
Danielle Cleary '18 led the way for Elmira with a team-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds.
Sally Hogan '19 was a key factor in EC's efficient shooting, as she went 7-for-8 from the floor to post 14 points. Rounding out the Purple and Gold's double-digit scorers were
Lindsey Heaton '19 and
Emily Green '18, who tallied 14 and 10 points, respectively.
RECORD BOOK WATCH
With her impressive performance against the Hawks, Cleary is on the cusp of ascending a few more of Elmira's all-time record leaderboards. With 22 points yesterday, the Rochester, New York, native has scored 1,449 in her illustrious career, just eight shy of tying Mary Kay Babcock '82 (1,457) for the second-most in program history. Cleary also sank her 177th career 3-point shot against Hartwick, five away Suzanne Wellman '00 (182) for third place all-time. She also passed Erin Rupell '11 (559) to secure sole possession of seventh place among Elmira's rebounds leaders. Â
SERIES HISTORY
Today's contest marks the 64th all-time encounter between the Soaring Eagles and Golden Flyers. Despite a 42-21 Naz lead in the series, the Purple and Gold enter the contest as the most recent winner in the rivalry. Elmira halted the Golden Flyers' six-game win streak in the series with a 66-62 victory on January 23rd at Speidel Gymnasium.
SCOUTING NAZARETH
The Golden Flyers enter Thursday's bout in the fourth and final spot in the E8 Tournament standings with a 7-6 conference record (11-11 overall). In its most recent game, Nazareth stumbled against Houghton College by a 73-64 final score on Tuesday. The Golden Flyers have employed an in-and-out style of offense this season, as they pace the conference in 3-pointers attempted (467), while also ranking second in free throws (408). Senior guard Samantha Peebles has been one of the best players in the country at getting to the line, as she ranks 13th nationally in free throws attempted (159) and 10th in free throws made (125). These added opportunities have helped the Syracuse, New York, native secure a league-leading 19.2 points-per-game average. Sophomore forward Rachel Benedict has been Naz's best post presence, as she paces the team and is tied with EC's
Rachel Vespucci '19 for second in the E8 in rebounds per game (9.0). Benedict is also very good offensively, as she is second on the team and in the conference in points per game (16.0).
UP NEXT
The Soaring Eagles return home to the Speidel Gymnasium for a conference clash against Utica College on Saturday, February 10, at 4:00 p.m. The tilt will also serve as Elmira's Class of 2018 Recognition Day.
Â
