Score: Elmira College 70, Utica College 60
Records: Elmira (6-15, 2-10 E8), Utica (7-14, 2-10 E8)
Location: Speidel Gymnasium – Elmira, N.Y.
                                  
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team caused 21 turnovers, which led to 21 points, as the Soaring Eagles clipped visiting Utica College by a 70-60 final score on senior night at Speidel Gymnasium. Prior to the start of tonight's contest, Elmira honored its graduating members of the Class of 2019, and at halftime, EC recognized several members of the 1997-98 and 1998-99 teams that made back-to-back NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.
 
Of the 21 caused turnovers, Elmira forced 13 in the second half alone and finished the contest with 16 steals. That fiery effort turned a 34-30 halftime lead into a 10 point win, one that saw the Soaring Eagles go up by as many as 11 in the second stanza.

Both teams shot fairly well from the floor tonight, as Elmira connected on 26-of-63 attempts (41.3%) and Utica made good on 23-of-55 shots (41.8%).
 
Five Soaring Eagles finished in double figures, led by forward Rachel Vespucci '19 who had a phenomenal showing with game highs of 17 points and 11 rebounds in a double-double effort. She also tied for the game high in steals with Lindsey Heaton '19, who both registered career highs of five takeaways. Heaton also chipped in 12 points, five assists, five boards and one block.
 
Lauren Franklin '20 and Alyssa Waters '22 provided key contributions off of the bench, as the duo combined for 23 points. Franklin was one rebound and two assists shy of recording a triple-double, as she added 11 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals. All 11 of Franklin's points came in the first half. Waters finished with 12 points, which included a perfect 4-for-4 showing from the charity stripe.
 
Rounding out Elmira's double-digit point scorers was fourth-year forward Sally Hogan '19, who logged 10 points, eight rebounds, one steal and one block.
 
News and Notes

• Vespucci logged her fourth double-double of the 2018-19 campaign.
• Vespucci's 17 points are her second-highest of the season.
• Vespucci's five steals were a career high.
• Heaton tied her career high with five steals.
• Franklin's 11 points were a season high.
• Franklin's eight assists were a career high.
• Franklin has recorded four or more steals in three games this year.

 
Up Next
Elmira returns to action this Tuesday, February 12, when the Soaring Eagles hit the road to take on the Saxons of Alfred University in Empire 8 action. The opening tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Alfred, New York.