Houghton, NY -- The Elmira College women's basketball team (9-14, 5-9 E8) defeated Houghton College (4-21, 1-15 E8) 52-49 in overtime today in an Empire 8 Conference contest. Alex Balara '15 scored the overtime period's last five points and then blocked a potential game-tying shot from the Highlanders in the closing seconds to secure the win for the Soaring Eagles. Balara also led the EC women with a double-double that included a career-high 29 points and 11 rebounds.

Karli Pochkar '16 chipped in with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal while Meghan Loya '16 added seven rebounds, six points, and two assists in the win.

The Highlanders started the game off strong with a 14-3 run, however, the Purple and Gold battled back with a 10-2 run to trail by just three points, 16-13. Both teams traded points for the remaining of the first half as Houghton held onto to a 21-17 lead heading into the locker room.

Balara led the EC women with 10 points, four rebounds, two steals, and one assist while Pochkar posted six boards, four points, and one steal in the first half.

The Purple and Gold started the second half with a 4-1 run to trail 22-21 in the first 1:56 in the second stanza. Then, a free throw by the Highlanders gave Houghton a two point, 23-21, lead. Balara responded by giving the Soaring Eagles their first lead of the game, 24-23 after getting fouled, while making a layup, and making the free throw. The Highlanders then went on a 12-7 run to go up 36-30. EC responded with a 6-0 run to tie the game back up at 36 apiece.

Houghton then went on a 10-7 run to take a three point lead with 2:44 left in the second half. A pair of free throws from Balara cut Houghton's lead to just one point and a Loya layup gave Elmira a 47-46 lead with 58 seconds remaining regulation time. Maisie Pipher made a foul shot to tie the game back up at 47-47 with nine seconds left. Time expired before Elmira was able to put up a potential game-winning shot, sending the game into overtime.

After missed opportunities from both teams, Houghton made the first bucket in the overtime period 1:38 in, to go up 49-47. With 1:11 left in overtime, Kelsey Geisler '15 stole the ball from the Highlanders and with just 21 seconds left in the period, Balara drove in and made a layup to tie the game up at 49-49.

With five seconds left in overtime, and second overtime period looming, Balara drove to the basket again and, while getting fouled, made a layup to put EC in the lead, 51-49. Balara made the free throw to give Elmira a three point lead with four seconds remaining. The Highlanders were able to move the ball up the court and even get a three-pointer off, however, the shot was denied as Balara got a piece of the ball on the way up, giving the Soaring Eagles a 52-49 win.

The Purple and Gold will compete next this Friday, February 20th when the EC women host Ithaca College at 6:00 p.m.