Score: Utica College 76, Elmira College 51
Records: Elmira (6-19, 2-14 E8), Utica (9-16, 4-12 E8)
Location: Clark Gymnasium – Utica, N.Y.

UTICA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball was unable to overcome a slow start against Utica College on Tuesday evening, as the Pioneers picked up a 76-51 victory over the Soaring Eagles in their final game of the 2018-19 season.

Elmira was unable to get its offense going in the opening quarter, as Utica was able to maintain a hot stroke from the floor throughout the contest. The Pioneers ended the contest with a 44.3-percent (31-of-70) field goal percentage, as  46 of Utica's points came in the paint, compared to just 20 from EC.

The Pioneers had a trio of players finish with double-doubles, led by Briannah Florian, who tallied 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Elmira leaned on senior Rachel Vespucci '19 on the offensive end, as she posted 14 points and six boards. Bridget Yaw '20 chipped in with nine points.

EC found its footing in the second quarter, as the Soaring Eagles added 14 points to go blow-for-blow with the Pioneers. Utica maintained its lead but Yaw had the final say in the period as the junior drained a 3-pointer with four seconds on the clock.

Elmira's offense came to life in the third quarter, as the Purple and Gold edged the Pioneers 21-20 coming out of the halftime break. EC shot a stellar 60-percent (9-for-15) from the floor. The Soaring Eagles battled Utica throughout the quarter, as a 9-0 run capped by a jumper from Alicia Johnson '22 pulled EC back within 10. That was as close as Elmira got however, as the Pioneers' offense kept the home side ahead the rest of the way.

Additionally, Elmira saw its four graduating members of the Class of 2019 - Lindsey Heaton '19, Makayla Krause '19, Sally Hogan '19 and Vespucci - play in the final game of their collegiate career. 

News and Notes

• All 12 players for Elmira saw action in tonight's contest.
• Alyssa Waters '22 dished a team-best five assists.
• Vespucci finished in double figures for the 12th time this season.
• Vespucci has scored double digits in five of EC's last seven contests. 
• With six rebounds tonight, Vespucci ends her career with the second-most rebounds in EC history (790).
• Heaton ends her career as the only player in EC history to log 1,000 points and 300 assists.
• Heaton's 361 points, 59 steals and 114 field goal makes this year were all season highs.
• Heaton posted seven points, five rebounds, four assists and a team-high three steals.