ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team couldn't extend its winning streak on Tuesday evening, as the Soaring Eagles dropped a non-conference affair against the visiting Broncos of SUNY Delhi by a final score of 71-55.
The Soaring Eagles (4-12) hung tough with the Broncos (4-15) throughout the contest, but SUNY Delhi's balanced scoring and heavy-handed approach in the paint made the difference. The Broncos produced 34 points in the post, compared to 16 from the Soaring Eagles. Camryn McDonald was the main culprit with a game-high 18 points for the visitors. For Elmira,
Taylor Johnson '23 and
Lauren Franklin '20 led the way with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
It was a back-and-forth first quarter between the two non-conference foes, as the opening 10 minutes ended deadlocked at 12-12. EC shot 35.7% from the floor during the quarter but the Broncos were able to make up ground at the charity stripe to keep pace.
Bridget Yaw '20 put EC up four with under a minute to play a feed from
Taylor Albrecht '22. However, the Broncos had the final say, as the visitors scored the final four points of the quarter to tie the game.
The Broncos maintained their momentum to open the second quarter, as they tallied the first two baskets of the frame to sneak ahead of EC, 16-12. Elmira struggled for consistent offense in the period and Delhi took advantage with a seven-point lead following a free throw from McDonald. The Soaring Eagles eventually trimmed the deficit down to four after back-to-back buckets from Albrecht and Yaw to make it a 27-23 game heading into halftime.
SUNY Delhi's offense didn't lose any steam to open the third quarter, as the Broncos continued to find success in the paint. Delhi pushed its lead to 13 with 6:24 on the clock, as Sam Acuna drained a trio of free throws. The Soaring Eagles battled back with a 10-to-0 run, which was bookended by 3-pointers from Johnson and
Alyssa Waters '22, to pull back within three at 38-35. The two sides continued to trade barbs from there, but Delhi was able to maintain a nine-point advantage heading into the final quarter.
Elmira attempted to pull off more late-game magic, as the Soaring Eagles aimed to chip away at the visitors' lead. EC was able to pull within six on two separate occasions during the final frame on baskets from Franklin, but the Broncos shot 42.1% (8-for-19) from the floor during the final quarter to seal the victory.
News and Notes
- Elmira outrebounded SUNY Delhi, 43-39.
- EC shot 73.3% (11-for-15) from the free-throw line compared to a 63.3% (19-for-30) mark from the Broncos.
- Waters finished with a season-high five assists.
- Franklin finished in double figures for the fourth consecutive game.
- Johnson scored in double figures for the fifth time this season.
- Emily Breheny '20 posted a team-high-tying eight rebounds.
Up Next
The Soaring Eagles return to Empire 8 Conference play on Friday, January 24, when they head to the Flower City for a tilt against St. John Fisher. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
