HOUGHTON, N.Y. -- The Elmira College women's basketball team opened the 2020-21 season with an 81-39 road defeat against Houghton College on Tuesday night at the Nielsen Center. It marked the Soaring Eagles' first loss of the year, while the Highlanders collected their first victory.
 
Third-year forward Taylor Albrecht '22 paced the Purple and Gold's offense with a team- and career-high 14 points on 6-of-15 shooting. She also pulled down a team-high six rebounds, including three offensive boards, and produced one steal.
 
Alyssa Waters '22 chipped in six points, three rebounds, two assists and a career-high four steals. Mykenzie Malacusky '23 dished out a team-high three assists and added four points.
 
Houghton controlled tonight's contest with a smooth shooting performance. A total of five players finished with double-digit points, led by Emie Taylor's 20-point 10-rebound double-double effort.
 
As a team, the Highlanders went 32-for-61 (52.5%) from the floor, 9-for-25 (36%) from 3-point range, and a perfect 8-for-8 (100%) from the charity stripe. Of Houghton's 81 points, 34 were scored in the paint, 23 came off of turnovers and 14 were a result of second-chance efforts.
 
The Soaring Eagles went 16-for-51 (31.4%) from the field and did not connect on any of their 3-pointers (0-6). Additionally, The Elmira women knocked down 7-of-13 shots from the free-throw line.
 
News and Notes
Elmira played its first game in 374 days.
All eight players scored for the Soaring Eagles.
Albrecht led EC in points (14) and rebounds (6).
Albrecht's 14 points are a career best.
Waters produced a career-high four steals.
Emily Sutryk '24 and Katy Decker '23 made their collegiate debuts for the Soaring Eagles.
Bridget Paluga '08 made her coaching debut with the Soaring Eagles.
 
News and Notes
The Elmira women will look to bounce back on this Friday, March 5, when they travel to take on the Express of Wells College. The opening tip-off if set for 6:00 p.m. in Aurora, New York.