Score: Nazareth College 70, Elmira College 56
Records: Elmira (4-13, 0-8 E8), Nazareth (12-6, 7-2 E8)
Location: Kidera Gymnasium -- Rochester, N.Y.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A strong second-quarter run helped the Elmira College women's basketball team climb out of an early hole, but Nazareth College negated the effort by doubling-up the Soaring Eagles in the third quarter en route to a 70-56 win on Tuesday.

Trailing by 19-10 after 10 minutes, Elmira scored the next 10 points and took its first lead of the night three minutes into the second quarter. Defense helped the Soaring Eagles generate offense; a Rachel Vespucci '19 steal resulted in two points for Bridget Yaw '20 on the other end of the court, and Emily Breheny '20 took an interception coast-to-coast to put EC up 20-19.

Following a Nazareth field goal, Lindsey Heaton '19 answered with a successful and-one to regain the edge over the Golden Flyers by two points, 23-21. At the 4:12 mark of the second quarter, the Soaring Eagles earned their largest lead of the night, 25-21, on a jumper off the hands of Lauren Franklin '20.

Despite the rally, the Golden Flyers ended the first half on a 10-2 run of their own and led 31-27 at halftime. Vespucci tied the game with four unanswered points to open the second half, before consecutive 3-pointers from Naz's Lizzie Straub and Rachel Benedict swung the momentum in their favor. Near the end of the third quarter, Benedict found a groove and scored seven in a row to put the game out of Elmira's reach heading into the fourth.

Heaton was EC's top scorers with 16 points, including three 3-pointers. The fourth-year guard also had five assists, two rebounds, and one steal. Vespucci finished with 14 points, five boards, four steals, and two assists. Franklin also scored in double figures and picked up a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. For Nazareth, Benedict led all players with 22 points and tied Franklin for a game-high 10 rebounds.

News and Notes

• Elmira's offense committed a season-low 12 turnovers, while the defense recorded 11 steals, tied for the second-most in a game this season.
• EC has finished with 10-or-more steals on five occasions in 2018-19.
• For the ninth consecutive game, Heaton recorded double-digit points.
• Heaton was perfect from the foul line (3-for-3) and has made 14 free throws in a row.
• Heaton needs 11 more points to reach the 1,000-point club.
• Vespucci scored 14 points, tied for the third-most she's had in a game as a senior.
• Vespucci tied a season-high with four steals.
• Franklin's double-double is her first of the season.

Up Next
Elmira opens a four-game homestand on Friday, February 1, with a 5:30 p.m. contest against the Highlanders of Houghton College at Speidel Gymnasium.