ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College women's basketball hosted Misericordia inside the Speidel Gymnasium for a non-conference matchup. The Soaring Eagles were relentless and fought with grit but fell short to the Cougars, 71-59. 

PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first quarter, the Soaring Eagles opened on a 7-0 run with shots in the paint from Amarionah Dixon and Lauren Miller. Three-point shots from Miller and Kelsey Stewart continued to carry Elmira's momentum, but a relentless Cougars offense cut the deficit to two. A fastbreak layup from Abby Belcher paired with a jump shot from Dixon gave the Soaring Eagles a 18-15 lead at the end of the first period. The Cougars worked quick during the start of the second quarter, outshooting Elmira 15-8 throughout the period. With two minutes before the half, the Cougars evened the playing field and sent Elmira into the half trailing 30-26.

After the half, Miller broke the deadlock with a shot from behind the three-point arc. Back-to-back layups from Miller and Belcher cut the Cougars lead to seven. Misericordia continued to separate themselves, creating an eleven-point lead. A foul from the Cougars sent Sophia Ward to the line to shoot two paired with a three-point bucket from Mallory Welty to bring the Soaring Eagles within six. A free throw from Mia Welty sent Elmira into the final quarter trailing by five (50-45). An intense fourth quarter opened with a bucket from downtown to cut the deficit to two. Shots in the pain from Belcher and Miller kept Elmira in the game, but Misericordia ended up outscoring Elmira 21-14 in the final quarter to drop the contest 71-59.

LEADERS
Miller led the way on the evening, recording 16 points, going 7-15 in the paint and tallying three rebounds. Dixon trailed closely with 12 points, going 6-8 in the paint with five steals. Belcher recorded eight points, going 2-2 at the free throw line and tallying two rebounds. 

UP NEXT
Elmira will travel to Hilbert College on Saturday, November 15 to face the Hawks, with a tip-off set for 2:00 PM.