ELMIRA DEFEATS NAZARETH, 68-59
Golden Flyers (7-17) hosts Ithaca Saturday in season finale
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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Feb. 16, 2007) -- Visiting Elmira jumped out to an early 8-0 lead and never trailed Friday as the Soaring Eagles went on to defeat host Nazareth in an Empire 8 Conference women's basketball game, 68-59. Elmira, which had already clinched first place in the regular-season E8 standings, improved its record to 20-4 overall and 12-1 in the Empire 8 while Nazareth dropped to 7-17 overall and 3-10 in conference games.

Elmira increased its lead to 29-14 after Kourtney Troutman connected on a three-pointer with 4:30 left in the first half. The Golden Flyers responded with a 16-4 scoring run to cut the Soaring Eagles' lead to 33-30 at halftime. Freshman Kelly Dunne and seniors Stephanie Bowens and Sarah Homer recorded 15 of Nazareth's 16 points during that stretch.

Freshman Jamie Malloy opened the second half with a two-point jumper for Nazareth to bring the Golden Flyers within one point but Troutman answered with a three-pointer to extend the Soaring Eagles' lead to four points. Elmira controlled the second half after Troutman's basket as it took a 59-44 lead with 7:15 to play. Nazareth freshmen Whitney Smith, Rachel Pirozzolo, and Kylie Bartlett combined to go 6-6 from the free throw line to cut the final score to 68-59.

Bowens (pictured) led the Golden Flyers with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Nazareth's only other player in double-digits was Smith with 11 points. Dunne finished the game with nine points and four assists for Nazareth. The Golden Flyers held a 42-37 advantage in rebounds but committed 20 turnovers compared to 17 for Elmira.

The Soaring Eagles were led by Mary Symonds, who recorded a game-high 24 points. Troutman added 14 points and nine rebounds while Marcia Coakley had 11 points and six assists. Elmira shot almost 57 percent from the field in the second half to hold off the Golden Flyers.

Nazareth closes out its season Saturday at home against Ithaca at 2 p.m. It will be the final game for Nazareth's seniors Stephanie Bowens, Cassie Denniston and Sarah Homer.