CANTON, N.Y.  – The Elmira College men's basketball team put together a valiant effort against the Saints from St. Lawrence University on Sunday afternoon, but came up just short in a 60-57 decision. The Soaring Eagles battled to a two point deficit at the half, and ultimately were outscored 33-32 in the second. For the Saints, it was their second closest margin of victory this season, while for Elmira, it was their closest margin of defeat.  
 
The Soaring showed even distribution on the offensive end, as Harry Ravitz '23 led the way with 11 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Rashaad Nurse '22 and David Kruis '23 each notched ten points in the loss, while Quintel Clements '22 fell just one point and one rebound shy of a double-double. Marc Anthony Artuz '24 recorded a career-best ten rebounds in the contest.

JUST THE BASICS:
Location: Canton, New York | Ronald T. Burkman Gymnasium
Score: Elmira: 57, St. Lawrence: 60
Records: Elmira: (2-7, 0-0 Empire 8), St. Lawrence (7-1, 2-1 Liberty) 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Elmira found themselves in an early 5-0 hole after the Saints converted on their first two buckets from the field. The Soaring Eagles then opened up a 6-0 run that came on buckets from Dylan Jacob '24, Bryan Adams '25, and Clements. The remainder of the half consisted of five lead changes and three ties, with Elmira overcoming a five-point deficit on two different occasions to carry just a two-point deficit into the break, 27-25.
 
In the opening half, Elmira shot just 11-of-31 from the floor (35.5%) compared to 41.7% for the Saints (10-of-24).
 
The Saints began the second half the same way they started the first as they jumped out to a 5-0 run increasing their lead to seven with 16 minutes remaining in the game. Trailing 36-29, Elmira used a 13-4 run over the next ten minutes of play to eventually regain the lead on a made three-pointer from Artuz. Down the stretch, Elmira remained in control of the lead until there were under three minutes remaining, and Kruis eventually tied the game up for Elmira on a made shot from beyond the arc with 1:20 remaining.
 
From there, the Saints would close the game on an 8-5 run, taking the 60-57 victory. After starting 0-5 from beyond the arc in the first half, the Soaring Eagles put together a 6-of-12 effort in the second half. In all, the game consisted of ten lead changes and five ties, with the Purple & Gold receiving 19 points of production from the bench.

ELMIRA LEADERS (24-of-62, 38.7 percent from the field) 
Harry Ravitz - 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Raashad Nurse - 10 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Marc Anthony Artuz – 7 points, 10 rebounds
Quintel Clements -  9 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist

ST. LAWRENCE LEADERS (20-of-49, 40.8 percent from the field)  
Will Engelhardt – 20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Trent Adamson – 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist
 
UP NEXT:
The Soaring Eagles will return to their home court for the first time in over a month as they take on the Wolves from Keuka College to begin conference play. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 PM on Tuesday as the game follows the women's game beforehand.