ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College women's basketball team will be back in action on Tuesday evening (7:00 PM EST) when heading to the campus of Houghton University for first round action against the #4 seeded Highlanders. 

After qualifying for its first Empire 8 Tournament since the 2006-07 season, the Soaring Eagles will look to punch its ticket to championship weekend, with the winner from Tuesday's game advancing to take on #1-seeded St. John Fisher University in the semifinal round, held in Pittsford, New York on Friday at 5:30 PM. 

In the 48-year history of Elmira women's basketball, head coach Thad Phillips has established himself as just the second coach in program history to begin his stint having back-to-back seasons with double-digit wins (Jim Schieble; 1992-99).

Matchup History:
In its history, Elmira has posted an 18-20 record against the Highlanders dating back to 1979. Since Houghton transitioned to the Empire 8 during the 2012-13 season, the teams have both posted an even 11-11 record against one another, splitting the season series in each of the past two seasons. 

Elmira Ties:
Houghton head coach Phil Pellegrino spent three seasons on the Soaring Eagles men's basketball staff as an assistant coach from 2017-20 before spending the past three seasons guiding the Highlanders women's program. 

Keys to the Game:

• Securing the Ball: Elmira, who averaged 17.6 turnovers per game during the regular season, turned the ball over an average of 12.5 per game in two meetings with Houghton this season. Both games fell within the top-six lowest turnover games for the Soaring Eagles in 24 regular season games played.
• Interior Presence: The Highlanders held Elmira to just three made shots from deep on 23 attempts in its two matchups. Houghton averaged 25 shots per game from long range against the Purple & Gold this season, making six per game.
• Look to Get Desiree Roy '25 Going Early: Held scoreless in the first half in their last meeting, Roy averaged .333 from the floor in two meetings with the Highlanders (averaged .472% from the floor for the season)
• Winning the Small Battles: Elmira held a two-point advantage in two games against the Highlanders this season. Both games were within three points in the final 15 seconds of play this season. 

Ticketing Information:
$6.00 - Adults
$4.00 - Students (with ID)
Free - Children Under 12
All tickets can be purchased at the game.

Statistics/Live Video:
Houghton University will provide all live video and statistics. Both can be accessed through clicking here.