ELMIRA, N.Y.— One year ago, with the Houghton Highlanders leading 55-53, the Elmira Soaring Eagles stole the ball, sank a layup and sent the game to overtime, where the Soaring Eagles won by a single point, 59-58.
 
This year, the Highlanders fended off another late Soaring Eagles rally, holding on by their fingertips to win this year's rematch, 55-53.
 
Like last year, Elmira jumped out to an early lead, surging ahead by as many as 10 points late in the second half. 
 
Houghton cut the deficit to six before the break, thanks to a pair of layups by Carlee Miller and Hannah Roeske, then owned the third quarter, outscoring the Soaring Eagles, 21-12, to grab a three-point lead before the final 10 minutes.
 
With three minutes to play Iyana Knights drilled a three-pointer to put the Highlanders up by five, but Elmira answered with a layup seconds later to trim the Houghton lead to three. 
 
Neither team scored again for over two minutes when Elmira's Laura Bogata sank a layup, pulling the Soaring Eagles within a single point. 
 
On the ensuing possession, in a near replay of 2022, Elmira stole the ball, but this time they missed the layup that would have given them the lead.  Houghton rebounded and drew a foul.  Crysta Lacrosse his the second free throw, and, with only 0.7 seconds remaining on the clock, Elmira could not convert a desperation three.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 55 | Elmira – 53
Records: Houghton: 11-4 (4-4 Empire 8) | Elmira: 9-5 (5-3 Empire 8)
Venue: Speidel Gymnasium, Elmira College | Attendance: 120
 
NOTABLE STATS
>> Both teams shot exactly 21-for-58 (36.2%) from the floor.  Elmira would convert three more free throws than the Highlanders, but Houghton would hit five more three-pointers than the Soaring Eagles.
 
>> Kayla Camacho established a new season-high, scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.  She also dished out five assists and grabbed five rebounds.  She has reached double-digit point totals in each of her last three games.
 
>> Lacrosse also reached double-digits for the third straight game, scoring 14 points and adding eight rebounds and four steals.
 
COACH'S CORNER
 "Today was another example of resilience by this group.  I am extremely proud of how mentally tough of a team I get to coach every day.  Every time there has been adversity this season we have grown closer together.

"We did just enough to win today against a very talented Elmira squad.  Defensively it was one of our best outings of the season, which carried us today.

"We still need to figure out how to start games better so that we don't have to keep battling back.

"Our road stretch is finally over.  I'm excited to keep growing over the next couple of days to get ready for yet another crucial Empire 8 weekend." - Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this Friday, when they will take on the Utica Pioneers at 5:30 p.m.