HOUGHTON, NY—The Elmira Soaring Eagles overcame a four-point halftime deficit to defeat the Houghton Highlanders, 86-80, on Tuesday evening.
 
During the final 20 minutes Justin Porrett scored 19 points and dished out three assists as the Soaring Eagles capitalized on 10 Highlander turnovers and outrebounded Houghton on the offensive glass over the same stretch, six-to-two.
 
With two minutes remaining in the game Dylan Lambert converted a three-point-play to pull the Highlanders within two, but on the ensuing possession Elmira's Henry Cuffee responded with a three-point-play of his own and Houghton would draw no closer.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 80 | Elmira – 86
Records: Houghton: 3-10 (0-4 Empire 8) | Elmira: 3-10 (1-3 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 212

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton continued to convert at an impressive clip, sinking 56 percent of their shots for the game (62 percent in the second half), including 7-of-18 (39%) from long range and 11-of-13 (85%) from the free throw line.

>> Elmira's work on the offensive glass gave them a distinct advantage in second-chance points, outscoring the Highlanders, 15-6, on putbacks.
 
>> Lambert finished with a game-high 26 points and added seven rebounds and four assists.  He is now only three points shy of 1,000 points for his career.
 
>> Carl Holmes and Cody Johnson collected 15 points and six assists apiece for the Highlanders, while Jordan Holmes chipped in 12 points.
 
>> Porrett—the conference's leader in assists per game—finished his night with 23 points and eight assists, while Cuffee added 19 points and 11 rebounds.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We played well enough to win but made enough mistakes to lose.  We have to continue to get better, especially taking care of the basketball down the stretch.
 
"Our bench was really good.  Proud of them for giving us some good minutes in key moments.
 
"Our guys have embraced adversity well, and we will keep sharpening each other every day." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Rochester on Friday, January 12 for a conference bout with St. John Fisher College.  Tip-off is slated for 6:00 p.m.