BENNINGTON, Vt. - Despite Joa Claircius'game-high 20 points the Southern Vermont College women's basketball team lost to visiting Elms College on Saturday by a final of 85-54.

The Mountaineers saw strong performances from Kristen Cummings (12) and Kayla Whitman (11 points, 10 rebounds).

Paige Schneider was one of four Elms players in double figures, and led the visitors with 19 points, followed by Jess Jurkowski (16 points), Amanda Brogna (14 points, 16 rebounds) and Carolyn Talmadge (10 points).

Elms jumped out to a 47-22 lead by halftime and didn't look back, lightening its defensive pressure but still outscoring the host team 38-32 in the second half.

The teams traded early buckets, with Cummings nailing three-pointer to tie the game at 7-all about three minutes into the contest. Elms then went on an 18-0 run over the next 8-and-a-half minutes; SVC went 0-11 from the field during that span, committing seven turnovers. By the time SVC's Tiarra hall ended the Mountaineers' cold spell with a jumper at the 8:42 mark, the damage had been done and Elms led 25-9.

Elms improved to 5-8 overall and 3-1 in the NECC. The Mountaineers are 3-9 overall, and 1-3 in the NECC.

The SVC women are back in action against SUNYIT away in a 6:00p.m. game.