ELMIRA, N.Y. - Russell Sage College and Elmira College used balanced scoring efforts in a 40-minute Empire 8 Conference clash where the Soaring Eagles stood supreme, taking down the Gators 77-75.
Both squads had four in double figures in a game that featured 12 lead changes and nine ties.
Junior guard Noah Girard (Glens Falls, NY/Glens Falls) commanded the scoring for the Gators, with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Freshman forward Avery Oduro-Dompreh (Elkridge, MD/Oakland Mills) scored a career-high 14 points and blocked a shot.
Senior forward Tahirou Hamidou (Bronx, NY/Carolina Basketball Academy/Livingstone) added a dozen points with five rebounds and three assists, while freshman guard Deavion Springsteen (Albany, NY/Albany) scored ten points and distributed four assists.
RSC outshot Elmira from the field, shooting 53.8% to their 44%, but the Soaring Eagles' 90.5% to 55% advantage from the charity stripe proved to be a crucial factor down the stretch.
Elmira College (9-14/5-9 E8) found four in twin digits as well. Sophomore forward Tyler Cardello, who is second in the Empire 8 in points-per-game, led all scorers with 19 points on the afternoon. Cardello added eight rebounds and three steals to the scorebook.
Sophomore guard Riley Spencer added 15 points, shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the effort.
Sophomore guard Carter Seeberger and sophomore forward JJ Babcock contributed 14 and 10 points respectively in the victory.
Looking ahead, the Gators (9-15/2-13 E8) wrap up their season next Saturday as they host Houghton. RSC will honor Hamidou and senior guard Jackson Brown (Latham, NY/Catholic Central/Fredonia State) for "Senior Day" against the Highlanders.
Gator Bites: Head coach Brian Barnes is in his 15th season at the helm of the Gators…Seven returnees and eight newcomers comprise this year's roster…The team's co-captains: Girard, Brown and junior forward Todd Williamson (Schenectady, NY/Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons) helped the Gators get off to a 4-0 start…Girard commenced the week leading the Gators with 16.5 points per-game, good for sixth in the E8... He recorded 31 points, a career-high, on 10-of-16 shooting in the November 18 win at SUNY Poly...Brown added 9.8 points per-game, while Williamson averaged 8.1 points and 6 rebounds...An RSC player has taken home Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the week on four occasions...Freshman center Khalel Noteman (Brooklyn, NY/Canarsie) was picked three times (November 13, November 27, December 4), while Springsteen was chosen on November 20…RSC began the week ranked third in the E8 by allowing 70.7 points per-game.