OSWEGO, N.Y.—Elle Reed (Sherman, NY, Sherman Central School) led all scorers with 19 points as the Houghton women's basketball team (2-0) defeated the Alvernia Crusaders (1-1) to open the Max Ziel Women's Basketball Tournament at SUNY Oswego, 56-50.
 
A close game throughout, the Highlanders defense provided the difference as they held the Crusaders to only 27.1% shooting from the floor and forced 18 turnovers.  Houghton converted that defense into points, outscoring Alvernia on points off turnovers, 21-11.
 
With less than two minutes to play, Alvernia's Chelsea Ebersole almost single-handedly lifted her team to victory.  Ebersole sank a three to cut the Houghton lead to two, then came up with a steal and was fouled.  She sank one of her ensuing free throws to put the Crusaders within one.
 
In the final minutes Reed sank four free throws and Maisie Pipher (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian) converted a three-point play to seal the victory for the Highlanders.
 
Pipher, who has battled an ankle injury all week, scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds.  She also helped to limit Alvernia's leading scorer to only four points, nearly 10 below her average from last year and 12 less than she scored in the Crusaders' opener.
 
For the Crusaders, Logan Focht scored 13 points, and Miranda Hoover added nine points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Highlanders play again tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in the championship game, where they will meet Wells College, who defeated SUNY Oswego in the tournament's second game, 71-68 in overtime.