ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Hartwick Women's Basketball team matched up with the Soaring Eagles of Elmira College, falling just short in their conference opener.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Hartwick 51 Elmira 52

• Location: Elmira, N.Y.

• Records: Hartwick (2-7, 0-1 Empire 8) Elmira (7-3, 1-0 Empire 8)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• The Hawks and Soaring Eagles prepared for tip-off as they both looked to start their conference schedules with a win.

• Elmira was first to get on the scoreboard, coming from a right wing three in the first minute of the contest.

• Hartwick responded with a three of their own, created by an offensive rebound from Yadi Smith (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.). Smith corralled her own miss and spotted Emma Cohen (Utica, N.Y.) unguarded beyond the arc for the score.

• Daniella DeBiase (Staten Island, N.Y.) followed up with a three of her own but this time, it was Elmira responding with the tying three.

• The Soaring Eagles began to click on offense as the Hawks struggled to break the full-court press, going on a 9-0 run as Hartwick trailed by 12 at the end of the run.

• Coach Lombard's squad would not be deterred as they slowly chipped away at the deficit, scoring six straight points including opening the second quarter with a bucket from Macy Durkin (Syracuse, N.Y.) to pull within six.

• The Royal Blue & White continued to work their way into the paint and earn trips to the charity stripe in the second. Syd Delisle (Mechanicsville, N.Y.) and DeBiase connected on their free throws to keep the game within single digits, heading into the half trailing 22-30.

• Hartwick came into the second half determined to get back within grasp of the Soaring Eagles, Durkin wreaked havoc on both ends to start the half to help get the Hawks closer.

• Durkin connected for eight points to retake the lead 33-32 as the Hawks began to piece together a solid run but Elmira stayed close, responding with timely buckets to keep it a one possession game.

• Cohen, Smith, and DeBiase converted on free throw attempts to help pad the lead as Durkin continued her red hot third quarter, finishing with 12 points in the quarter.

• Cohen's two free throws would send the Hawks into the fourth, leading 41-39 as they looked to hold the lead.

• The first two minutes of the fourth were scoreless, until Durkin worked her way into the paint for the bucket, coming from a dish from Smith.

• Three consecutive three pointers for Elmira put them back into the driver's seat with less than five minutes remaining.

• Hartwick continued to show their fighting spirit as they continued to battle with Durkin and Smith continuing to pour in the points in the painted area, bringing the Hawks within one with under two minutes remaining.

• An Elmira basket pushed the deficit to three but a Durkin layup with 49 seconds left cut it back down to one.

• The Hawks stood tall on the ensuing defensive possession, turning away the Soaring Eagles, leaving the squad with ample time to find a bucket. Hartwick gave it their all but could not convert on their final attempt in the closing seconds of the contest.

• Durkin led the charge on offense, connecting for a career high 24 points to pair with 13 rebounds.

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will host their first conference homestand of 2025, matching up with new Empire 8 foe SUNY Brockport on Friday, January 10 at 5:30 PM.

About Hartwick College:

Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.