ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College Men's Basketball team would move itself back into the win column on Friday evening after completing the season sweep of the Hawks from Hartwick College. The Soaring Eagles, who would find themselves down as much as eight points nearing the midway point in the opening half, would conclude the final 10:25 of the frame on a 32-14 run to carry a ten-point lead into the break. 

Despite Hartwick trimming its deficit down to as little as two points in the second half, the Soaring Eagles would hold strong down the stretch to capture victory. Tyler Cardello '26 would pace Elmira with 33 points and five rebounds, while Riley Spencer '26 and Owen Evans '26 would go on to score 20 and ten points, respectively.

JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 92, Hartwick 80
LOCATION: Elmira, New York | Speidel Gymnasium
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (8-14, 4-9 Empire 8), Hartwick (1-20, 0-14 Empire 8)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Following the opening basket from Cardello, the Hawks would answer with a run of its own which would ultimately find the visitors ahead eight points nearing the midway points in the half. From there, the Soaring Eagles would answer back with back-to-back three pointers from JJ Babcock '26 and Evans, before a converted and-one opportunity for Cardello trimmed the Elmira deficit to just a point. 
• The baskets would spark what would eventually be a 32-14 run for the Soaring Eagles to end the half, which found the Purple & Gold ahead by double-digits at the break, 47-37. In the first half, Spencer would lead all Elmira scorers with 11 points, while Cardello & Evans each would provide ten points a piece. 
• The second half would prove to be physical on both ends of the court, as the Soaring Eagles went on to 32 free throw attempts for the game, a season-high. Additionally, Elmira would match its season-best in free throws made for the contest with 23, as the Purple & Gold finished the contest shooting 71.9% from the charity stripe.
• Elmira would go on to narrowly edge the Hawks in the second half, 45-43, while forcing 12 Hawk turnovers to lead the points off turnovers battle 18-13. 
• Cardello would finish with a season-best in field goals made (11) to record his second 30-point game of the season, while also shooting 10-of-13 from the free throw line. 
• For the game, Elmira would shoot 31-of-57 (54.4%) from the floor, while Hartwick shot 31-of-70 (44.3%). The Soaring Eagles would control the game from beyond the arc, shooting 7-of-15 compared to just a 4-of-20 effort for the Hawks. 

UP NEXT:
The Soaring Eagles return to the floor tomorrow afternoon as they pay tribute to the Class of 2024 against Russell Sage College. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM as Marc Anthony Artuz '24, Dylan Jacob '24, and Harry Ravitz '23 will be honored.