ELMIRA, N.Y. –  Russell Sage College travelled to Elmira College for an Empire 8 match-up to open the 2023 half of league play on Friday night. The host Soaring Eagles earned the 64-55 win to move to win improving to 2-9 overall and 1-3 in the Empire 8, while the loss puts the Gators at 2-8 overall and 0-3 in the conference.

RSC led 27-25 at the break and led by as many as 10 points (53-43 at 6:29), before Elmira roared back at tied the game at 2:34, marking the fifth tie of the night.

Sophomore guard Noah Girard (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) netted 11 of his team-leading 16 points in the second half for the Gators. Sophomore forward Todd Williamson (Schenectady, NY/Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons) added 10 points for RSC, while Elmira held the Gators to a 36.1% shooting effort in the action.  The Gators did hold a 44-34 edge on the boards as freshman forward/center Evan Kwasniewski (Fort Edward, NY/Hudson Falls) led the Gators with seven caroms off the bench.

Elmira's Bryan Adams added 15 points, while Marc Antony Artuz finished with 12 points off the bench and Dylan Jacobs connected for 10 points.

Looking ahead, RSC plays at Alfred University on Saturday, January 7 at 4 p.m. in an Empire 8 match-up.