Elmira, NY -- A 21-point second half effort from Chris Cassidy '14 blew open what was a seven-point game at the half as the Elmira College men's basketball team defeated Houghton College, 89-68. The Soaring Eagles scored 49 points in the second half, the most points scored in a half this season and also the most scored in a half since EC dropped 54 points in the second half against Ithaca College on December 7, 2010.

Cassidy led four EC players in double-figures as he scored a game-high 25 points, shooting an efficient 8-of-12 from the field and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line. Neil Randolph '15 and Josh Keys '14 each scored 14 points and Derrick Vogel '14 contributed 11. Vogel also recorded his first double-double of the season and the third of his career after also handing out 10 assists.

The game was a back-and-forth affair in the early goings as the lead changed hands five times and the game was knotted up twice. The Highlanders used a quick 7-0 run to take a 14-9 lead but the five-point spread would be the largest that Houghton would have all game as the Soaring Eagles came right back. Randolph converted a traditional three-point play to cap off a 9-0 EC stretch that put the Purple and Gold in front for good.

From that point on, Elmira would continue to grow their lead, reaching a max of 13 with 4:28 to play in the first half. Houghton cut into the deficit a bit but EC still took a 40-33 lead into the locker rooms.

The second half was all Elmira as the men led by double-digits for most of the final 20 minutes of play. The Highlanders were able to cut it to a nine-point game, 65-56, with 7:07 to play, but the Soaring Eagles responded with 17-6 run over the next five minutes to break open a 20-point advantage. EC was able to cruise over the final two minutes of play to the 89-68 victory.

Keys hit four three pointers tonight, leaving him 11 made threes shy of tying Ryan Bennett '01 at the top of Elmira College's all-time list.

The Soaring Eagles will be back in action tomorrow afternoon as the men host Utica College at 2:00 p.m. EC will be looking to complete the season sweep over their conference foes after EC pulled out a 53-49 win in Utica on January 10th.