Coakley and Anderson Lead Women's Basketball Over the Cardinals

Elmira, NY - Second year guard Marcia Coakley '09 and fourth year forward Britta Anderson '07 each scored 11 points in today's Empire 8 conference game between the Soaring Eagles (18-4, 10-1 Empire 8) and the Cardinals of St. John Fisher College (12-11, 6-6 Empire 8). 

Today's game was crucial for the Soaring Eagles as they look to stay in first place going into the post season.  The first half started off slow for both teams with only a combined 20 points being scored in the first 10 minutes, 12 of which belonged to Fisher.  Even though EC did not let the Cardinals get out to far ahead, they were unable to get their offense together and make push for the lead.  The Soaring Eagles would eventually tie the game at 15 a piece with a little more than 4 minutes left in the first.  Again Fisher still managed to hold onto the lead but EC's Chelsey Kent '10 came very close to tying the game again with her only three point basket of the game to make the score 18-19. 

With 58 seconds left two made free throws from Coakley tied the game and also gave EC their first lead of the day.  It would be all EC in the final seconds with a made field goal from Kat Jax '08 and a three pointer from Anderson to give Elmira the 6 points lead (29-23).  Turnovers plagued the first half with Fisher tallying 18 turnovers and EC tallying 15. 

The second half was the same as it has been for most of the season with the Soaring Eagles offense coming together and expanding the teams lead.  Fisher's Allison Boehm started off the half going 1-for-2 from the line.  Boehm complete today's game with 8 points and 4 rebounds.  She also had 7 turnovers and 6 steals in 36 minutes of action.  Scoring in the second half for Elmira was truly a team effort with a total of 9 players recording baskets to help extend EC's lead to 17 points.  Kourtney Troutman '08 had another strong game under the basket pulling down 6 boards in just the second half.  Troutman finished the game with a team high 9 rebounds.

EC will now head into Tuesday's conference game with alot of momentum.  The Soaring Eagles will face Ithaca College which is the only team to defeat EC in conference play this season.  Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium. 

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