ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Hartwick Women's Basketball team delivered a memorable Senior Day performance at Lambros Arena, battling past the Elmira Soaring Eagles for a 77–71 Empire 8 victory on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Elmira 71 Hartwick 77
Location: Oneonta, N.Y. | Lambros Arena
Records: Elmira (9-11, 4-8 Empire 8) • Hartwick (5-17, 2-11 Empire 8)
 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Hartwick turned in its best offensive effort of the season, pouring in 77 points on 46% shooting.

• Emma Cohen was astounding on Senior Day, tying her career highs of 24 points and five three pointers

• Jessica Bowens shined bright as the first year posted a career high of 13 points on just one miss, adding six boards on her day.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Prior to tip-off, the Hartwick Women's Basketball program honored its lone senior, Emma Cohen (Utica, N.Y.), recognizing her commitment and impact in the Blue and White over the past two seasons.


Cohen wasted no time setting the tone, opening the contest with an assist to Jessica Bowens (Malta, N.Y.) inside before a trademark steal and score from Macy Durkin (Syracuse, N.Y.) pushed Hartwick ahead early. Yadi Smith (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) knocked down her first triple of the afternoon off a Cohen feed, then assisted Leah Schoonover (Fredericksburg, Va.) on a running floater as the Hawks jumped out to a quick start.


Elmira answered with a flurry from beyond the arc, using three consecutive three-pointers to seize its first lead. Schoonover briefly halted the run with a perfect trip to the free throw line, but the Soaring Eagles closed the quarter strong to take a six-point edge into the second.


Schoonover opened the second frame with a three to cut the deficit in half before Cohen responded with a triple of her own. Elmira stretched the lead back to two possessions, but Cohen fueled the Hawks with trips to the stripe and another three to pull within three. Durkin forced a turnover and converted at the rim to make it a one-point game, though Elmira's interior presence kept Hartwick just behind heading into halftime.


Bowens sparked the second half by controlling the glass and finishing through contact to open the scoring. After a perfect trip to the line by Cohen, Smith pushed the pace with a quick outlet that led to another Bowens basket as Hartwick reclaimed the lead. The teams continued to trade momentum, with Cohen drilling a go-ahead three before Elmira answered yet again.


Bowens proved difficult to contain in the paint, scoring on back-to-back possessions off Smith assists, while Durkin added another steal and score to ignite a Hawks run. A running floater from Niamh Kelly (Latham, N.Y.) capped the surge and gave Hartwick a five-point cushion. Elmira responded with a late push to knot the game at 51 heading into the fourth.


Both offenses came alive in the final period. Durkin and Bowens attacked the offensive glass, creating second-chance opportunities that led to Cohen burying a three to open the quarter. Smith added a driving finish before Durkin struck again in transition, pushing the lead to five. Hartwick seized control with a 7–0 run, highlighted by an emphatic and-one from Bowens following a Durkin rebound and outlet.


Cohen put the finishing touches on her Senior Day with a personal 5–0 run, while Smith sealed the victory at the free throw line in the final minute as the Hawks secured the hard-fought conference win.


Emma Cohen led the offensive charge with 24 points, ringing in five attempts from beyond the arc. Macy Durkin pieced together her sixth double-double on the year, collecting 18 points to pair with 10 boards and five steals as Bowens posted 13 points to round out the double digit scorers. Yadi Smith was an active threat in the passing lanes, posting a career high nine assists to go with a new career best six steals.

 

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will head to Houghton University for a 5:30 matchup against the Highlanders on Friday, February 13th.

 

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.