ELMIRA COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES
Game 4: Hilbert College
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT
Last Time Out
The Soaring Eagles posted a pair of solid offensive efforts, but struggled to contain on the defensive end over the weekend, losing a pair of contests at the MClub Classic, hosted by the University of Mount Union. Danielle Cleary ‘18 and Lindsey Heaton ‘19 provided a strong one-two punch in the two games. Cleary scored 20-plus points in both contests, while Heaton scored in double-figures on both days, including 19 against the tournament hosts on Friday. Unfortunately, it would not be enough, as Mount Union grounded the Soaring Eagles 85-71, while Case Western Reserve University took home an 81-65 win over Elmira in the third-place game on Saturday.
Cleary Off to Dynamite Start
There has been no sophomore slump for the reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. Danielle Cleary ’18 is off to a fantastic start to her 2015-16 campaign. Through Elmira’s first three games, she is averaging a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. She posted back-to-back 20-plus point outings over the weekend at the M-Club Classic, which included a huge double-double with 21 points and a career-high 14 rebounds last Friday against Mount Union. Hilbert College HAWKS (2-2)
Heaton is a Hit
Tuesday, November 24th, 2015 Speidel Gymnasium -- Elmira, NY -- 5:00 p.m.
2015-16 SCHEDULE (0-3, 0-0 EMPIRE 8)
Day NOV. DEC. JAN. FEB.
Date 13 20 21 24 1 3 9 12 30 4 8 9 12 15 16 19 21 27 30 5 6 9 12 13 20 26 27
Opponent Pitt-Bradford Mount Union^ Case Western^ Hilbert Clarkson Penn College of Technology SUNY Cortland SUNY Potsdam RIT Stevens* St. John Fisher* Nazareth* Ithaca* Utica* Hartwick* Houghton* Alfred* Ithaca* Stevens* Utica* Hartwick* Houghton* St. John Fisher* Nazareth* Alfred* Empire 8 Semifinals Empire 8 Final
Time-Result L, 64-77 L, 71-85 L, 65-81 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. TBA TBA
Bold Indicates Home Contest *Denotes Empire 8 Contest ^M-Club Classic Tournament
ElmiraCollegeAthletics @ECSoaringEagles ECSportsInfo
Freshman point guard Lindsey Heaton ’19 has been sensational in the opening two weeks to her Soaring Eagle career. She has stepped in and immediately provided a strong presence on the ball for Elmira. The first-year leads the team, averaging 3.3 assists per game, while she has not been afraid to create her own shots as well. Through three games, she is averaging 13 points per game, which included back-to-back double-digit point performances over the weekend. She posted an excellent game against the Purple Raiders with 19 points, going 2-for2 from beyond the arc.
Loya Anchoring the Post
While Heaton and Cleary have formed a potent one-two punch outside, Meghan Loya ’16 has been a consistent performer down low for the Soaring Eagles through the first two weeks. She leads the team with 10.3 rebounds per game and has done an excellent job of creating second-chance opportunities for Elmira, averaging three offensive rebounds per game. She has also chipped in some solid offense as well, averaging seven points per contest. She enters Tuesday night’s home opener coming off her finest outing to-date, posting nine points and 14 boards in the loss to Case Western on Saturday.
All-Time Series
EC’s only previous matchup with Hilbert College occurred last season, one that saw the Soaring Eagles defeat the Hawks 63-58 in Hamburg, NY. Karli Pochkar ’16 had a monster game for Elmira, posting 15 points and nine rebounds. Kelsey Geisler ’15 and Danielle Cleary ’18 keyed the perimeter play, chipping in 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Getting to the Charity Stripe
While Elmira has gotten off to a somewhat cold start from the beyond the arc, the Soaring Eagles have done a great job of getting to the free-throw line. EC is averaging over 27 trips to the charity stripe per game and has done well in converting those opportunities into points. The Purple and Gold are averaging 20 free-throw makes per game, converting at a 73.2% clip.
Scouting Hilbert
The Hawks have gotten off to a 2-2 start to the 2015-16 season. They began the year with a convincing 78-57 victory over Geneva College in the team’s home opener, but have faced stiffer competition in its last three contests. The Hawks dropped 71-69 triple overtime heartbreaker to Houghton College, but rebounded for a seven-point victory two days later at Cazenovia College. The Hawks struggled in their most recent outing, falling to Chatham University 69-49. Hilbert’s strength resides in the post, as Shannon Rogers and Katelyn Proy have formed a dynamic combination down low. Both players are averaging doubledoubles this season. Rogers leads the team in scoring, averaging 15 points per game, while she has pulled down 14.8 rebounds per contest. Proy leads the team on the glass, pulling down 15.5 boards per game, while chipping in 12.8 points. Kelsi Ebert has been solid at the point, averaging 10.8 points and a team leading 3.3 assists per game.
ECSoaringEagles
Sports Information: Don Sherman (dsherman@elmira.edu); Dan DeCaria (ddecaria@elmira.edu); Travis Larner (tlarner@elmira.edu) Phone: 607.735.1131 Fax: 607.735.1768 Website: athletics.elmira.edu Address: One Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901