HOUGHTON, NY— The Elmira Soaring Eagles survived a furious second-half comeback by the Houghton Highlanders on Tuesday night, 65-63, to move into sole possession of the final Empire 8 playoff spot heading into the last two weeks of the season.
 
Elmira led by as many as 16 points with less than 15 minutes to play when Houghton made their move.
 
Over the next 11 minutes the Highlanders would outscore the Soaring Eagles 22-6, culminating when Reece Gustafson drained a three-pointer to tie the game, 57-57.
 
After trading baskets, Elmira would pull ahead by four with less than a minute to play.  But Gustafson struck again from downtown, pulling Houghton within a point. 
 
After the Soaring Eagles made a single free throw, the Highlanders missed a layup, but Maxwell Morse grabbed the rebound and was fouled, sending him to the line with a chance to tie the game. 
 
Morse sank the opening shot, but the second rimmed out and Elmira grabbed the rebound. 
 
Following a Houghton foul, the Soaring Eagles made their own first free throw, but missed the second.  With 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock, Houghton call timeout and drew up a final play, but the desperation heave missed the mark, and Elmira escaped with the victory. 
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 63 | Elmira – 65
Records: Houghton: 5-16 (4-10 Empire 8) | Elmira: 6-16 (5-10 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 115

NOTABLE STATS
>> Each of the last three meetings between the two teams, and four of the past five, have been decided by four points or fewer.  In their past 21 meetings, the Soaring Eagles have won 11 times and the Highlanders 10 times.

>> Elmira committed fewer turnovers (10-to-15) and grabbed more steals (11-to-3), while Houghton led in rebounds (44-to-39) and blocked shots (8-to-1).
 
>> David Rosa led the Highlanders with 23 points, two steals, three assists and five blocked shots.  Rosa has eclipsed the 20 point mark four times this season, including three times in the past four games.  In tonight's effort he went 7-for-12 from the field, 5-for-9 from three-point range, and 4-for-6 from the line.
 
>> Gustafson scored a new career-high 15 points, knocking down five three-pointers, while Esafe Taufahema and Luke Cole both logged double-doubles with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and 10 points and 10 rebounds, respectively.  Taufahema now has five double-doubles on the season, while Cole picked up his first.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"A tale of two halves again. Another great comeback from our guys, but just too big of a hole to dig out of.
 
"We fixed a great deal on both ends in the second half, but came up short. Back to practice to try and improve for this weekend.
 
"David Rosa is playing pretty well at both ends. His effort always gives him a chance to make plays. We stayed in the game tonight because of his shot-making and defense." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to Dix Family Court on Friday, February 10 at 7:30 pm to take on the visiting Russell Sage Gators.  Houghton defeated the Gators earlier this season, in Albany, 83-75.