ELMIRA, N.Y. – The Elmira College Men's Basketball team would battle down the stretch, putting together a 16-13 run in the final 5:16 of play to come away with its first Empire 8 victory of the season over Houghton on Tuesday evening, 77-75. After trailing 39-34 at the break on just 35.9% shooting, the Soaring Eagles would hold the Highlanders to just a 28.2% clip in the second half (11-of-39), en route to a seven-point advantage in the final frame.

Aidan Carnevale '27 would score a team-best 18 points to go along with ten rebounds for the Soaring Eagles, a season-best in both categories, while Riley Spencer '26 and Tyler Cardello '26 each chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively. JJ Babcock '26 would also post his second consecutive double-double, scoring 11 points to go along with 12 rebounds. 

JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 77, Houghton 75
LOCATION: Elmira, New York | Speidel Gymnasium
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (5-8, 1-3 Empire 8), Houghton (4-10, 2-3 Empire 8)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Soaring Eagles and Highlanders would battle in the opening half, as Houghton was able to extend its lead to as many as six with 5:16 remaining in the first, holding the lead for 14:22 of the half. In the opening frame, each team would see 16 of its points come within the paint, while points from second-chance, turnovers, and fast breaks were decided by just one-point, all in the favor of Houghton. 
• Elmira's lone lead in the first half came on the games opening basket, as Riley Spencer '26 began the game with a fastbreak layup following a missed three-pointer from Preston Thomas. 
• With 10:31 remaining in regulation, the Highlanders would extend its lead to as many as eight points, but a 6-0 run with buckets from Babcock & Carnevale trimmed the deficit to just a pair. Trailing once again by four, Cardello and Spencer would see back-to-back baskets fall, knotting the game at 59-59 with 6:55 remaining. 
• Houghton's last lead of the contest would come following a pair of made free throws from JaJuan Preaster, to put the Highlanders ahead 62-61 with 5:16 remaining. 
• Over the next minute and a half, an 11-4 run for the Soaring Eagles which included back-to-back three-pointers from Dylan Jacob '24 would put EC ahead by six. Despite this, Houghton would show resilience, putting together a 6-0 run of its own over the next minute and a half to tie the contest at 72-72 with 1:49 remaining. 
• Over the final minute and a half, strong defensive stands and three points from Babcock and a pair from Spencer would secure the Elmira victory. 

UP NEXT:
The Soaring Eagles return to the floor this weekend when heading to Russell Sage College to take on the Gators on Friday evening beginning at 7:30 PM. The following day, the Purple & Gold will wrap up its Empire 8 weekend with a trip to Oneonta to square off against Hartwick, with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 PM.