BRONXVILLE, N.Y. – The Elmira College Men's Basketball team battled the hosts from Sarah Lawrence College on Tuesday afternoon but came up short, 60-74. After trailing by just a pair heading into the break following a last second basket from the Gryphons, Elmira was unable to overcome Sarah Lawrence's strong rebounding effort in the first half, along with its success from three-point range.

The opening half played as back-and-forth as possible, with each team holding a lead no larger than five in the frame. The Gryphons, who have shot nearly 50.0% of its field goals from long range this season, were able to knock down six in the opening half compared to just a pair for the Soaring Eagles. In the contest, Sarah Lawrence controlled the tempo of the game from deep, making the most of its attempts while finishing 14-of-31 (47.1%). 

JJ Babcock '26 led all Elmira scorers at the end of the first half with 11 points. Despite each team knocking down 14 shots from the floor in the frame, the Gryphons out-assisted the Soaring Eagles 12-3 by driving towards the basket before working the ball to the outside. 

Riley Spencer '26 was relied upon in the second half, scoring 12 of Elmira's 26 points in the frame. The Soaring Eagles found themselves down by as many as twelve points at the midway point in the second half before a quick EC run trimmed the Gryphon deficit to just six following a made free throw from Spencer. Despite the late attack, Sarah Lawrence would use a 14-6 run over the final four minutes of play on its way to a 74-60 victory. 

Outside of Spencer's 18 points, Babcock was able to supply eight rebounds to go along with his 11 points while Brijon Warren '24 and Tyler Cardello '26 rounded out the Soaring Eagles scoring with 12 and eight points, respectively. 

JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 60, Sarah Lawrence 74
LOCATION: Bronxville, New York | Campbell Sports Center
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (1-8, 0-2 E8), Sarah Lawrence (3-9, 1-1 Skyline)

UP NEXT:
The Soaring Eagles have wrapped up its non-conference schedule and will head into winter recess before returning to the court on Tuesday, January 3 against Empire 8 newcomer Medaille University.