HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The Elmira College Soaring Eagles women's basketball team traveled to Houghton University for the semi-final round of the Empire 8 Conference Tournament. The Soaring Eagles fought hard but fell in the end to the Highlanders of Houghton University, 66-48.
 
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Highlanders opened up the scoring with a three-pointer a few possessions into the contest. Houghton started the game out on an 8-0 run through the first three minutes. Emma Ryan got the Soaring Eagles offense going with a layup. Lauren Miller hit a three pointer from the corner as the shot clock expired for Elmira's first three of the contest. Aynsley Belcher picked up some second chance points with a layup, cutting the deficit to five points. Ryan scored five consecutive points for EC, part of a seven-point first quarter for her, to cut the Houghton advantage to three points. The Soaring Eagles recorded four steals in the first quarter but still trailed 16-13, heading into the second quarter. Haley Mosch hit a three-pointer to start the scoring in the second quarter, tying up the game. Mosch added another layup for EC, this one assisted by Belcher. The Highlanders went on a 9-2 run to get the momentum back. A three-pointer from Lauren Miller got the Soaring Eagles going again and cut the deficit to four points. The Highlanders concluded the first half with a 9-0 scoring run, taking a 36-23 advantage heading into the second half.

The Highlanders started the second half with a 9-0 scoring run to extend their advantage to 22 points. Belcher made a layup, receiving a pass from Sophia Ward, for Elmira's first points of the third quarter. Ward scored a layup and Mallory Welty added a three-pointer as part of 5-0 run for the Soaring Eagles. Ryan made a layup to slow down the run by Houghton, but EC still trailed 52-32 heading to the fourth quarter. Amarionah Dixon made a layup to get the scoring started for Elmira in the fourth quarter. Ryan and Miller made layups to add four more points for the Soaring Eagles. Ryan scored five points in a row for Elmira to try and take some momentum back. Free throws from both sides would close out the contest with Houghton holding a 66-48 advantage as the final buzzer sounded.

LEADERS
Offensively, Ryan led the way with 16 points, grabbing five rebounds, and going perfect from the free throw line. Miller totaled eight points and grabbed three steals. Dixon dished out four assists, tallied four rebounds, and got four steals.