HOUGHTON, NY— The Houghton Highlanders turned in another swarming defensive effort, defeating the Elmira Soaring Eagles, 82-43, for their 18^th win of the season, tying the NCAA-era program record for wins in a season that they established one year ago.
 
Houghton forced 33 Elmira turnovers, 19 of which came by steal, and limited the Soaring Eagles to a 35 percent shooting effort.
 
The game started slow, as both teams struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive end, but the Highlanders exploded in the second quarter, knocking down 57 percent of their shots and forcing 20 first-half turnovers.  At the half, the Highlanders led, 38-19.
 
Both teams came out with much improved offensive efforts in the third, as Houghton hit 56 percent of their shots, while Elmira knocked down 50 percent.  The Highlanders, however, again got the better of the scoring, winning the quarter, 25-20, taking a 24-point lead into the final 10 minutes.
 
In the final quarter the Highlanders second string turned up the defensive heat, limiting the Soaring Eagles to only four points on 2-of-12 shooting from the floor, taking the last heat, 19-4, to close out the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 82 | Elmira – 43
Records: Houghton: 18-2 (9-2 Empire 8) | Elmira: 9-8 (4-6 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 105

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Highlanders are now one win away from establishing a new NCAA-era program record for wins in a season, a record they set last year and tied this evening.  The Houghton women have won 20 or more games four times in program history, the last time coming in 1998-99, when the Highlanders recorded a program record 24 wins.
 
>> Five Houghton players scored in double-digits, led by Kayla Camacho, who logged 18 points.  Camacho hit 6-of-8 shots, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and 3-of-4 from the line.  This is the sixth time this season that Camacho has led the team in scoring.
 
>> Trinity Copeland registered her second consecutive double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down a team-high 11 rebounds. She also added six steals and four assists.
 
>> The Houghton freshmen trio of Marley Drake, Hannah Farley and Tabitha DeVries chipped in 13, 12 and 11 points apiece, respectively, while Crysta LaCrosse collected eight points, six assists and three steals.
 
>> The Highlanders have forced 30 turnovers or more in a game three times this season, and 20-plus turnovers on 15 occasions.  They have limited their opponents to 45 or fewer points 11 times.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I thought tonight was a complete 40-minute effort from the team.  I'm proud of how we consistently keep working to get better.

"This is a much-needed week without any games. We are able to get some rest and fine-tune what needs to be worked on moving into our last stretch of the season.

"We saw contributions from so many people tonight.  That's what it's going to have to look like coming down the home stretch as we get ready for the playoffs." - Head Coach Phil Pellegrino

UP NEXT
With a full week to recuperate, the Highlanders will head to Alfred next Tuesday, February 6 to take on the Alfred University Saxons at 5:30 p.m.  The Highlanders have won the last two matchup between the teams, including a 64-42 victory at home earlier this season.