ELMIRA, N.Y. – Brittany Lenart scored 17 points and three teammates also posted double-digits in the scoring column as the Houghton Highlanders avenged their prior loss to Elmira College with a punctuation mark, defeating the Soaring Eagles, 65-44.
 
The Highlanders took an eight-point lead into the fourth quarter, winning each of the game's first three periods, then battened down the hatches, holding the Soaring Eagles to only three points in the final ten minutes.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 65 | Elmira – 44
Records: Houghton: 10-10 (4-7 Empire 8) | Elmira: 6-15 (2-9 Empire 8)
Venue: Speidel Gymnasium, Elmira College | Attendance: 147

Key Moments
>> Elmira led by as many as six in the first quarter, but a three-pointer from Hannah Manwaring tied the game at 12 with 1:45 remaining in the first, and a layup by Brittany Lenart a minute later gave the Highlanders their first lead of the game.
 
>> In the second, the Soaring Eagles battled back, taking a one point lead before Manwaring struck again, knocking down a deep three then converting a three-point play on back-to-back possessions to put the Highlanders up by five.
 
>> While Elmira continued to battle throughout the third, a three-pointer from Leslie Moose with 25 seconds remaining put Houghton up by eight and proved to be the blow from which the Soaring Eagles could not recover. 
 
>> In the final quarter, Houghton's defense took over, limiting the Soaring Eagles to only 1-of-13 from the field.  The Highlanders continued to score at a consistent clip, posting 16 points of their own, capped by a three-pointer by Alicia Nuttall to finish the game.
 
Key Stats
>> Houghton dominated the boards, outrebounding Elmira, 43-26.

>> The Highlanders shot an impressive 46 percent (28-of-61) from the floor, while holding the Soaring Eagles to only 31 percent shooting (15-of-49).

>> Moose posted her third double-double of the season, collecting 10 points and 11 rebounds.
 
>> Manwaring picked up 11 points and five rebounds, and Elle Reed scored 10 points and dished out four assists.
 
>> Rachel Vespucci led the Soaring Eagles with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Next Time Out
The Highlanders return to action on Tuesday, February 7 when they travel to Nazareth College to take on the Golden Flyers at 6:00 p.m.  Nazareth clipped Houghton in this season's earlier matchup at the Nielsen Center, 50-47.