ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College women's basketball team opened its season at home on Wednesday evening, picking up a win over the visiting Pioneers from Alfred State, 56-47. In its first matchup all-time between the programs, D'Asia Jones '25 would lead all scorers, finishing the contest with 16 points and five rebounds off the bench. 

With the victory, head coach Thad Phillips moves to 3-0 in season-opening games at the helm of the Soaring Eagles

JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 56, Alfred State 47
LOCATION: Elmira, New York | Speidel Gymnasium
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8), Alfred State (0-1, 0-0 AMCC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• In the first quarter, the Soaring Eagles would see five score, led by Nevaeh Winston '25 in just 5:37 of play off the bench with six points. Alfred State would knock down the lone three for the frame, as the Pioneers were held to just five points compared to 14 for the Soaring Eagles. 
• In the second, Jones would tally half of her game-high points (8) on 3-of-5 shooting, as the Pioneers narrowly outscored EC in the frame, 16-15. 
• After the Pioneers deficit grew to 11 to begin the frame following a bucket from Winston, the visitors would trim Elmira's lead down to as little as three points following an 8-0 run in the early part of the quarter. 
• In the opening half, Elmira would shoot 12-of-42 (28.6%) from the floor compared to 8-of-31 (25.8%) shooting for the Pioneers.
• In the second half, Elmira would outscore the Pioneers 27-26, while shooting 6-of-14 (42.9%) from the floor in the third quarter. The game would continue to go back-and-forth for both squads, as the Elmira bench outscored Alfred State's for the contest, 29-16. 
• Sophia Ward '27 and Mallory Welty '26 would make their collegiate debuts on Wednesday evening, as Ward finished with one rebound and an assist, while Welty finished with four rebounds and two assists.

TOP PERFORMERS:
D'Asia Jones - 16 points, 5 rebounds
Nevaeh Winston - 12 points, 5 rebounds
Laura Bogota '25 - 9 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Taylor Jung '25 - 10 rebounds, 6 points

UP NEXT:
The Purple & Gold will return to the floor on Saturday when hosting SUNY Delhi at 2:00 PM as part of the two-day Elmira Tip-off Tournament. Penn Tech and Curry College will also participate, with the winners of each game squaring off on Sunday at 2:00 PM following the consolation game at 12:00 PM.