HOUGHTON, N.Y.— The Women's Basketball team put on an exciting performance for their fans in Tuesday evening's game against the Soaring Eagles of Elmira College. Although the Highlanders stayed neck and neck with Elmira the entire game, they closed out the season with a nail-biting 52-49 loss in overtime.

Hannah Manwaring (Barton, NY, Tioga Central HS) opened and closed the 12-3 Houghton run-lead at the start of the game by book-ending it with 3-pointers.   

The Soaring Eagles would soon rally 8 consecutive points. This scoring spree was interrupted by a layup from Maisie Pipher (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian). With 4:12 left in the half, Houghton led Elmira 18-15. The two teams went back and forth scoring, going into the second half with a 21-17 Highlander lead.

It did not take but 2 minutes before the Soaring Eagles tied the game 23-23. With the help of Pipher and Manwaring, the Highlanders managed to push forward and take a 6 point lead. Elmira had a rally of their own, tying the game 36-36. After taking turns scoring, the two teams found themselves tied 3 more times in a 3 minute time frame.

Successful free throw attempts by both teams kept them evenly paced. Down by 1 point with 9 seconds left on the clock, Pipher was fouled. At the line, Pipher sunk 1 of 2 free throws; tying the game 47-47, forcing overtime.

Christel Enriquez-Fisher (Colorado Springs, CO, William Mitchell HS) opened overtime with a layup, putting Houghton in the lead. This would be the last basket scored by the Highlanders this season. The Soaring Eagles would rally 5 points and confirm the 52-49 victory.

Pipher earned 15 points, 3 blocks, and 1 steal on the night, followed by Manwaring with 14 points. Enriquez-Fisher ended the night with 8 points and 2 steals.

The Highlanders finish their 2014-2015 season with an overall record of 4-21 while going 1-15 in the Empire 8 Conference.