HOUGHTON, NY— One year ago the Elmira Soaring Eagles knocked off the higher-seeded Houghton Highlanders in the opening round of the Empire 8 Conference Championship, 65-58.
 
From the opening tip of tonight's rematch, the Highlanders played with a ferocity that demonstrated that another upset would not happen tonight, as Houghton claimed the first-round victory, 71-43. 
 
Tabitha DeVries put the Highlanders on the board early, and Hannah Siewert, in only her second start of the year, knocked down three straight layups to give Houghton some early momentum.  While the Soaring Eagles kept pace in the opening minutes, Houghton shot nearly 63 percent from the floor in the first quarter, building a resounding, 22-9 lead, over the first 10 minutes. 
 
The second quarter brought more of the same, as the Highlanders shared the scoring wealth, eventually heading to the locker room with a commanding, 39-17 advantage.
 
Elmira made a brief run in the third, putting together a stretch in which they drained three consecutive threes, outpacing the Highlanders, 18-15, over the third 10-minute stretch.  But Houghton regained form in the final quarter, putting the Soaring Eagles away with a 17-8 performance to seal the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 71 | Elmira – 43
Records: #3 Houghton: 22-4 | #6 Elmira: 11-13   
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 356

NOTABLE STATS
>> As has become their calling card, the Highlanders forced 22 Elmira turnovers, 11 by steal, and pressured the Soaring Eagles to convert only 22 percent of their field goal attempts.  The Highlanders opponents have committed more than 20 turnovers in a game 18 times this season and have shot under 30 percent nine times.
 
>> Since joining the Empire 8 the Highlanders have made three post-season appearances, earning their first conference tournament win this evening.  The last conference tournament win for the program came in 2000-2001 when the Highlanders won the Northeast Atlantic Conference (NAIA) title and advanced to the NAIA Tournament.
 
>> While the Soaring Eagles struggled to convert from the field, they were spectacular from the free throw line, hitting 15-of-16 shots they took from the charity stripe.
 
>> DeVries finished with a team-best 15 points, knocking down 6-of-10 shots, while pulling down five rebounds. 
 
>> Siewert and Kayla Camacho scored 11 points apiece, as Siewert made 5-of-7 from the field.  Camacho, who led the team in scoring this season, has scored at least 10 points in 22 of the team's 26 games this season.
 
>> Trinity Copeland turned in another well-rounded performance, dominating on defense, as she pulled down a team-high nine boards, blocked two shots and picked up two steals.  She also went 2-for-3 from the floor and 3-for-4 from the line for eight points.
 
>> Alleney Klunk led the Soaring Eagles with a game-high 17 points.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We had everyone locked in and ready to go today.  There wasn't a doubt in my mind that our group showed up ready to go from the jump.
 
"I'm very proud of everything this group has accomplished, but I think everyone in the room knows it's not done yet.  When we come locked in and ready to compete from top to bottom, this team is just flat-out fun to watch.
 
"I can't wait to compete with this group again tomorrow at practice as we prepare for our trip to Rochester on Thursday.  It's going to be a fun challenge that we will be ready for." –Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will head to Rochester on Thursday to take on the second-seeded Nazareth Golden Flyers at 5:30 p.m.  The Golden Flyers won the first meeting between the two team, at Nazareth, 70-58, while the Highlanders prevailed in the most recent matchup, at Houghton, 62-54.