ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Despite a career-high 22 points from senior Lauren Franklin '20, the Elmira College women's basketball team couldn't find a way past Empire 8 Conference foe Nazareth College on Saturday afternoon, as the Soaring Eagles dropped a 72-63 decision in Speidel Gymnasium.

Before today's contest, the Purple and Gold honored their four members of the Class of 2020 –Emily Breheny '20, Lauren Franklin '20, Sarah Garner '20, and Bridget Yaw '20 – for their contributions to the program.

The battle in the paint played a large in role in the outcome of today's contest, as Nazareth (14-6, 6-3 E8) edged Elmira (4-16, 2-7 E8), 37-to-29 on the boards. The Golden Flyers also mustered 34 points in the point compared to 22 from the Purple and Gold. Rachel Benedict led the charge for the visitors with 29 points and 13 rebounds.

Elmira answered Nazareth's strength in the post with a strong showing from behind the 3-point arc, as the Soaring Eagles knocked down a season-best 53.8% (7-of-13) of their shots from deep. Franklin, who led the team in points (22) and rebounds (8), added two makes from beyond the arc, while Alyssa Waters '22 knocked down a pair of 3-pointers en route to 17 points and a team-best four assists.

EC got off to a strong start against Nazareth, as the Soaring Eagles took a 15-13 lead after the opening quarter. The two sides traded blows, but two consecutive baskets from Waters pushed Elmira ahead, 13-8. Franklin ended the quarter with a jumper to keep the Soaring Eagles ahead.

The back-and-forth continued into the second quarter, as Yaw put the Purple and Gold up by seven, 20-13, with 7:53 on the clock. Despite the edge, Nazareth scored 12 consecutive points from beyond the arc to steal the lead from EC. The Golden Flyers pushed their lead to 35-27, but back-to-back scores from Franklin and Taylor Johnson '23 made it a two-point game heading into the half.

The Soaring Eagles continued to keep the contest close in the third quarter, despite Nazareth jumping ahead by as many as nine points during the period. With under a minute left in the quarter, Taylor Albrecht '22 made it 52-47 with a layup. Franklin pulled EC back within three to end the quarter after a pair of makes at the charity stripe.

Elmira continued to battle to regain its lead in the final quarter and Waters eventually knotted the score at 62-62 with a 3-pointer at 3:51. The Soaring Eagles were unable to regain control of the game as time wound down, as Nazareth used an 8-to-0 run to seal the contest.

News and Notes

• EC recognized its four members of the Class of 2020: Emily Breheny '20, Lauren Franklin '20, Sarah Garner '20, and Bridget Yaw '20.
• The Soaring Eagles shot a season-best 53.8% (7-of-13) from behind the arc.
• EC forced Nazareth into 24 turnovers while committing just 17.
• Franklin's 22 points marked a career-high.
• Franklin scored in double figures for the third consecutive contest.
• Franklin registered a season-best six steals.
• Waters hit double digits for the eighth time this season.
• Waters played the full 40 minutes for the second time during the 2019-20 campaign.
• Yaw added nine points for the second consecutive game.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles are back in action tomorrow afternoon on Pat Thompson '75 court for their final home contest of the 2019-20 season. Tip-off against St. John Fisher is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.