Mike Chmielowiec and Marcus Roberson combined for 10 points in a key second half surge as the University of Rochester held off Elmira College, 76-58, in the first round of the UR/Holiday Inn Airport Classic at the Louis Alexander Palestra.

Chmielowiec scored six points in the run and Roberson added four. Elmira had cut a 15-point deficit down to eight with the help of two three-point goals by David Nelson, a jumper by Noah Zazulia, and a layup by Bobby DiPiazza. Nelson's second three-point goal pulled the Soaring Eagles within eight, 51-43, with 11:21 left.

Rochester went on an extended 10-5 run over the next 4:13 to take a 13-point lead. Chmielowiec hit a trey. Roberson made two free throws. After a basket by Jon Adamson of Elmira, Chmielowiec hit one of two from the line. Zazulia converted a conventional three-point play before Chmielowiec stole the ball for a layup and Roberson hit a jumper. It was 61-48 with 5:54 left and Elmira never got it under 11 after that.

Chmielowiec finished with 23 points, hitting nine of 14 from the field, four of six outside the arc. He had five rebounds and five steals. Roberson scored a career-best 17 points, making five of eight from the floor, seven of eight from the line. He had six rebounds and three steals. Nate Novosel had 15 points and six rebounds for Rochester. Max Kaplan scored a season's high nine points and handed out eight assists.

For Elmira, DiPiazza scored 11 points and had two assists. Adamson and Nelson scored 10 points each. The Soaring Eagles hit 64% from the floor in the second half, 14 of 22. Elmira struggled outside the arc, making four of 19 from long range; two of 13 in the first half. Rochester led, 41-25 at halftime.

On Sunday, Elmira will play Skidmore at 1 pm and Rochester will take on Lycoming at 3 pm. Lycoming defeated Skidmore, 77-59, in the first game on Saturday. Matchups were pre-determined.

Rochester is 3-1. Elmira, coached by former Rochester player Randie Torgalski, is 1-3.