ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team posted its second-highest point total of the season on Saturday afternoon, but the reigning Alleghany Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) champion Hawks of Hilbert College proved to be too much to handle, as the Soaring Eagles fell by a final score of 72-64 in Speidel Gymnasium.

A tough shooting first quarter for the Soaring Eagles (2-3) loomed large for the remainder of the contest, as the Hawks (4-3) snuck ahead of EC and took a four-point lead into the second half, 30-26.

The Purple and Gold launched an earnest comeback attempt and opened the third quarter on a tear, pouring in the first nine points of the period. Bridget Yaw '20 capped the run with a make in the paint to give Elmira a 35-30 edge. Despite the early scoring antics, the Hawks responded with a 15-point barrage spurred on by eight points form Taylor Corts, to seize back control of the game at 45-35. Yaw and Lauren Franklin '20 halted the run with back-to-back buckets, but Hilbert was able to take a seven-point lead into the final quarter of action.

A high-scoring finale saw the two sides trade blows over the final 10 minutes. Elmira found its shooting stroke from beyond the arc, going 4-for-6 (66.7%) from downtown. On the opposite end, the Purple and Gold didn't allow the Hawks to make a 3-pointer as the clock wound down.
Hilbert was able to grow its lead to 10 with a little over six minutes to play, but EC continued to chip away. Mykenzie Malacusky '23 eventually pulled the Soaring Eagles back within two at 64-62 on the heels of a 3-pointer. That was as close as the Purple and Gold got, however, as the Hawks sealed the contest at the free-throw line.

Yaw ended the game as Elmira's leading point-getter, dropping 17 points while shooting 50% (5-for-10) from the field. Franklin posted a double-double, finishing with 14 points and a game-best 11 rebounds. Malacusky rounded out Elmira's double-figure scorers with 12 points. 

News and Notes

• The Purple and Gold's 64 points marked their second-highest scoring output this season.
• Elmira tallied seven steals against Hilbert.
• The Soaring Eagles edged the Hawks in assists, 18-to-15.
• Yaw tallied a game- and season-high six assists.
• Franklin registered her second double-double of the season.
• Yaw's 17 points were a season-best.
• Malacusky hit double figures for the second time in her career.
• Emily Breheny '20 tallied a season-high three steals.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles continue their three-game homestand on Tuesday, December 3, when they welcome Keuka College to Speidel Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.