It’s easy to push the tempo when you force 32 turnovers. That is precisely what the women’s basketball team did yesterday en route to a 61–53 win against visiting Elmira College.

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Men’s & Women’s Basketball vs. Elmira, Feb. 12

The Bombers defeated Elmira College on Tuesday, 61-53.

With the win, the Bombers clinched a berth in the Empire 8 Championship tournament, which features the top four teams in the conference. The Bombers, who will defend last year’s title, are in second place behind Stevens Institute of Technology.

The South Hill squad improved to 12–9 overall and 10–2 in the conference. Instrumental in the win were several Bombers, including senior center Erika Steele, whose contributions will be crucial to another conference title run. Against the Soaring Eagles, Steele tallied 19 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore guard Katherine Bixby continued her tremendous play with a career-high 10 assists – just two shy of a Bomber single-game record.

Along with stars like Steele and Bixby, the bench continued to its solid play with contributions from sophomore guard Lindsay Brown, who scored 12 points, and junior forward Tracy Bradley, who registered seven points and six rebounds.

The Bombers return to action at 6 p.m. Friday at Alfred University.