ELMIRA, NY— While the Highlanders stayed neck and neck with Elmira in the first half of the game, they were unable to keep up with the Soaring Eagles in the latter half of the game, taking the 72-58 loss.

Houghton and Elmira went back and for in scoring, going the distance with a 13-10 Soaring Eagle lead run. Tyler McQuaid (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian Academy) earned 8 of the 10 Highlander points, in just 4 minutes.

The near 2:40 seconds of offensive silence was broken by a jumper and 3-pointer by Jordan Scott (Burlington, ON, Canada, Notre Dame Secondary). Regardless of the spark started by Scott, Elmira managed to sink a 3-point shot of their own, giving the Soaring Eagles a 6 point, 23-17 lead.

A 9-8 run would give Elmira their biggest lead of the half. With 2 minutes left in the first half, the Highlanders were able to fight back with the help of Johnathan Stowe (Toronto, ON, Canada, Don Mills Collegiate Institute)—tying the game 32-32. With 29 seconds left in the half, the Soaring Eagles would score 3 straight free throws to give them the lead.

In the first half, McQuaid led the way with 10 points followed by 9 points and 2 steals from Stowe. Scott earned 7 points in the half.

While Elmira began to take the game into their own hands at the start of the second half, Houghton's Phil Pellegrino (Rochester, NY, Brighton) minimized the gap to a 1 point Soaring Eagle lead. After constant back and forth, it wasn't until 10 minutes left in the game when Elmira began to score more frequently than the Highlanders. A 16-7 Elmira lead run, capped by a Soaring Eagle 3-pointer would put the Highlanders at a 14 point deficit.

With 2:30 left in the game, Elmira was able to maintain the lead, beating Houghton 72-58.

Stowe and McQuaid finished the game with 16 points each. McQuaid also went 6-6 at the free throw line, helping contribute to the Highlanders shooting 81.3% at the line. Scott went 2-2 at the 3-point arch while scoring 10 points on the night.

The Highlanders are back in action on Friday, January 16^th where they will play away against the Pioneers of Utica College at 8 p.m.