ELMIRA, N.Y.- The season continues for the Houghton women's basketball team after a fourth-quarter rally in Saturday's must-win game against Elmira College. Backed by duo
Laurie Call (14 points and seven assists) and
Leslie Moose (14 points and 11 boards), the Highlanders defeated the Soaring Eagles, 71-65.
During the third quarter, the Highlanders were down by as many as 14 points. With key three-pointers from both
Brittany Lenart and
Amber Edwards as well as a pair of free-throws from
Moose, the Highlanders were able to cut the Soaring Eagles' lead to eight points, 55-47.
Houghton used a strong fourth quarter showing to make a final push for a comeback. The teams tied 58-58 at the 6:22-minute mark, thanks to a layup by
Edwards, but Elmira regained the lead with a pair from the charity stripe. Houghton tied the game once more with a putback from
Moose at the 5:52-minute mark. In the final five minutes, a jumper by
Edwards sparked an 11-5 run that secured the win and the Highlanders' spot in program's first Empire 8 tournament appearance as the No. 4 seed.
The 2018 Empire 8 Tourney will be hosted by top-seeded St. John Fisher. The match-ups are as follows:
Friday, February 23
rd
No. 3 Stevens vs No. 2 Sage, 6 pm
No. 4 Houghton at No. 1 SJFC, 8 pm
Saturday, Finals 4 pm
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 71 | Elmira - 65
Records: Houghton – 13-12, 9-7 Empire 8 | Elmira – 13-12, 5-11 Empire 8
Venue: Speidel Gymnasium, Elmira, N.Y. | Attendance: 179
NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton's
Lenart follows behind
Moose and
Call with 12 points, while
Emily Swanson collected 11 boards on the night.
>> Second half shows the Highlanders shooting 56.67% from the field and 66.67% from down town. The Soaring Eagles shot 41.38% from the field and 25% from behind the arch.
>> Houghton won the battle of the boards outperforming Elmira 48-36.
>> The Soaring Eagles were led by Danielle Cleary (17 points), Emily Green (16 points), and Lauren Franklin (13 points and 10 boards).
UP NEXT
As the No. 4 seed, Houghton will be advancing to Empire 8 Tournament on February 23
rd at St. John Fisher College for an 8:00 PM tip-off.