Score: Houghton College 62, Elmira College 48
Records: Houghton (7-6, 3-1 E8), Elmira (8-5, 0-4 E8)
Location: Houghton, N.Y. -- Nielsen Center
 
HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team was unable to overcome a strong third-quarter performance by Houghton College, which led to a 62-48 Highlanders' victory in the two team's Empire 8 Conference bout on Tuesday evening at the Nielsen Center in Houghton, New York.

Although the Soaring Eagles suffered a double-digit defeat, EC was not statistically dominated by Houghton. From the field, the Highlanders shot 40.0 percent (24-for-60), while Elmira went 39.6 percent (19-for-48). The Purple and Gold even out-rebounded the home team by a 38-to-32 margin. The main difference in the bout was ball security, as the Soaring Eagles posted 21 turnovers, compared to the Highlanders' 12.

The Purple and Gold were led by an outstanding performance from Sally Hogan '19, who scored nine points to go along with a game-high 12 rebounds, which tied a career high for the forward. The West Rutland, Vermont, native was just one point shy of posting the second double-double of her career. Emily Green '18 was Elmira's lone double-digit scorer in the tilt with 11 points. Lindsey Heaton '19 had an all-around solid performance, as she scored six points and dished out seven assists.

Houghton started to take control of the contest in the opening quarter, after outscoring the Soaring Eagles, 22-13, in the first 10 minutes. This lead would grow as high as 13, 30-17, with 6:19 remaining before the halftime break. It was at this point, however, the Purple and Gold strung together a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to just five points, 32-27, at the end of the half. The push was started by a Danielle Cleary '18 3-pointer, three of her eight points in the game.

In was in the third quarter, that the tilt started to get away from Elmira, as the Highlanders went on a 12-3 run that grew the margin to 14 points, 44-30. When the quarter was all said and done, Houghton had more than tripled its halftime lead to 16 points, 51-35. Despite winning the final period, 13-11, EC was unable to overcome its double-digit deficit, sealing the E8 victory for the Highlanders.
 
News and Notes

• The Soaring Eagles fall to 8-5 overall and 0-4 inside E8 play, while the Highlanders improve to 7-6 overall and 3-1 against league affiliates.
• Despite the loss, the Purple and Gold still own a 14-12 lead over Houghton in the two team's all-time series.
• Elmira scored 48 points tonight, which is the lowest that it has tallied since it was held to 44 points in last year's season finale against Utica.  
• With the setback, EC extended its season-long losing streak to four straight games.
• With five steals today, Elmira has swiped at least five balls in all but one game this year.  
• The Soaring Eagles 21 turnovers are tied for the second-most that they have committed this season.
• EC was held to a season-low six made free throws tonight.
• The Purple and Gold's 38 rebounds are tied for the second-lowest total that the team has hauled in this year.
• With two rebounds today, Cleary now has 523 in her career, which is tied eight all-time in program history.
• Heaton added seven assists to her career total tonight, giving her 240 in her time donning the Purple and Gold, fourth among EC's all-time leaders.
• Hogan's 12 boards tied a career high for the junior.
• Hogan (9pts-12rbs) fell just one point shy of recording the second double-double of her career.

 
Up Next
The EC women will continue conference play on Saturday, January 13, when the Soaring Eagles head to Utica, New York, for a clash with Utica. The league bout is slated to start at 4:00 p.m.