Rupell and Giara Lead Women's Basketball to First Conference Win

ELMIRA, NY - First year forward Erin Rupell ’11 (Lehighton, PA -- Lehighton) notched her second career double-double to help lead the Soaring Eagles (2-2, 1-0 E8) to their first conference win of the season over the Hawks of Hartwick College (1-3, 0-1 E8) Friday evening at Speidel Gymnasium.

Along with Rupell’s double-double which consisted of a game high 12 rebounds and 14 points, teammate Alysha Giarra ’10 (Ridgefield Park, NJ -- Ridgefield Park) also managed a game high and career high 14 points against the Hawks.

Despite a rocky start in the opening minutes of the game, the Soaring Eagles managed to take control with less than 10 minutes to play in the first half. EC’s offense came together and managed to earn some breathing room within the final minutes of the half. Even though the Purple and Gold began to pull away the Hawks were not far behind.

First year forward Becca Fretz ’11 (Kunkletown, PA -- Pleasant Valley) gave EC their first double digit lead of the evening on easy lay-up to put her team up 22-12 with 5:35 left. From there the Soaring Eagles had to battle to keep the double-digit lead, but received some help from Tesia Kaczynski ’11 (Mansfield PA -- Mansfield) when she nailed a three point basket to put the Soaring Eagles up by 13 points.

With only seconds to play in the half, EC tried to hold Hartwick off the board before the halftime horn sounded, unfortunately that did not happen with Kara Foro scoring a three point basket right before time expired. The Purple and Gold went into the locker room leading 32-22.

Following the halftime break, Hartwick took the court with a new found intensity, which brought them to within 6 points within the first four minutes of the second half. Foro scored her second of three, three point baskets which helped her team get back into the game.

EC would eventually battle back to retake a 10 point lead, but it was not long before the Hawks were clawing at the door once again, bringing it to within four points with 8:10 left in the game. The Hawks defense managed to limit EC to 14 points within the first 12 minutes of the half, as compared to their 23 points.

However the Purple and Gold managed to keep their composure on both ends of the court and held off the offensive barrage from Hartwick to take the win.

Women’s Basketball returns to action tomorrow afternoon when they face the Pioneers of Utica College in an Empire 8 conference game at 2 p.m. at Speidel Gymnasium.

Hartwick College 54, Elmira College 63
Box Score