ELMIRA, N.Y. – For the second time this year the Houghton Highlanders watched the Elmira Soaring Eagles capitalize on one big quarter to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
 
The Soaring Eagles outscored the Highlanders 28-11 in the third quarter, and then held off a furious Houghton comeback attempt for the win, 68-62. 
 
Elmira jumped out to an early 17-12 lead after the end of the first quarter, but Houghton stormed back, limiting the Soaring Eagles to only five points in the second quarter and assuming the lead at the half, 29-22.
 
In the second half the Soaring Eagles came out on fire, nailing 11 of 15 shots from the floor (73.3 percent), including 3 of 5 from beyond the three point arch.
 
After falling behind by 12 early in the final frame, Houghton fought back.  With less than two minutes to play Elle Reed (Sherman, NY, Sherman Central School) nailed a three and Maisie Pipher (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian) drained a layup to bring the Highlanders with four points, but it is as close as they would come.
 
Elmira sank six consecutive free throws and the Highlanders failed to convert as the Soaring Eagles hung on down the stretch.   
 
Game Vitals:
      >Score:  Houghton College - 62  |   Elmira College - 68
      >Records:  Houghton College: 9-13 (3-10 Empire 8)   |   Elmira: 7-15 (4-9 Empire 8)
      >Venue: Spiedel Gymnasium, Elmira, NY    |    Attendance: 189
 
Clutch Performances:
The Highlanders:
      >Pipher scored 14 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots.
      >Reed finished with 13 points while freshmen Brittany Lenart (Panama, NY, Panama HS) totaled 12 points and four assists.
      >Fellow freshman Madison Detwiler (Williamsburg, PA, Williamsburg HS) collected 10 points and seven rebounds.
.
The Soaring Eagles:
      >Jessica Cleary scored 15 points, brought down eight boards and dished out four assists                    
      >Emily Green and Marrisa Silverman added 13 and 12 points apiece, respectively.  
 
Stat Analysis:
      >After shooting only 31 percent in the first half, Elmira shot 70 percent from the floor in the second frame.  They finished the night 7 of 13 (54 percent) from beyond the three-point arch.
      >Despite shooting better in the second half than they did in the first, the Highlanders could not keep pace with the hot-handed Soaring Eagles.  Houghton shot 32 percent in the first half and 41 percent in the second.
      >Houghton held slim advantages in turnovers (20-24) and rebounds (37-36), and outscored Elmira on second-chance points, 16-3.
 
Next Time Out:
The three-game road trip continues for the Highlanders this weekend as they travel to Ithaca College on Friday to take on the Bombers at 8:00 p.m.  The Bombers defeated the Highlanders earlier this year, 72-42 in Houghton.