ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College men's basketball team honored its senior class on Saturday afternoon, as Jeff Jung Jr. '23, Harry Ravitz '23, and Quintel Clements '22 received recognition. The Soaring Eagles would go on to eventually drop its Saturday matchup with Empire 8 leader Utica, falling 73-59.

After a rocky start on the offensive end for both teams' which saw the Soaring Eagles holding the 5-4 advantage just over five minutes into the contest, the Pioneers would go on to finish the half on a 28-14 run which proved to be the difference in the contest. 

Riley Spencer '26 would lead Elmira with 12 points, converting on 4-of-7 shots from beyond the arc, while Clements posted a six-point, eight-rebound effort in the final home game of his career. 

JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 59, Elmira 73
LOCATION: Elmira, New York | Speidel Gymnasium
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (7-17, 6-11 Empire 8), Utica (20-3, 15-1 Empire 8)

After trailing 32-19 at the break, the Soaring Eagles would step it up on the offensive end, more than doubling its first half scoring after posting 40 in the second half and playing the Pioneers nearly even. 

Despite the loss, the Soaring Eagles held the Pioneers to its second lowest shooting percentage against any opponents this season (34.3%), while two of Utica's three lowest shooting percentage nights came against Elmira this season. 

ELMIRA LEADERS (34.3%, 23-of-67 from the floor)
David Aysho - 6 points, 9 rebounds
Riley Spencer - 12 points

UTICA LEADERS (34.4%, 21-of-61 from the floor)
Thomas Morreale - 13 points, 10 rebounds
Luke Bourgault - 13 points, 9 rebounds

UP NEXT:
The Soaring Eagles will hit the road for its regular season finale a week from today when heading to take on the Saxons from Alfred University. Tip is set for 4:00 PM.