OSWEGO, N.Y. -- A huge first quarter staked Houghton women's basketball to an early lead and the team got balanced scoring across the lineup to grab a 77-41 win over Wells College in the championship of the Oswego Max Ziel Tournament on Saturday.

Houghton improved to 3-0 with the win, while the Express fell to 3-1.

Houghton jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the game's first three minutes and led 29-6 after the first quarter. Tournament MVP Elle Reed (Sherman, NY, Sherman Central School) scored 11 points in the opening 10 minutes. Houghton hit 11 of 17 shots in the first quarter.

However, that offensive onslaught didn't continue in the second quarter as the Express outscored the Highlanders 14-7 to trim the deficit to 36-20 at the half.

After two free throws from Brittany Lenart (Panama, NY, Panama HS), Houghton was able to stretch the advantage to as many as 22 (46-24) midway through the third period and the advantage was 19 (49-30) by the end of the third.

The final 10 minutes saw the Highlanders up their defensive pressure and re-kindle the offensive firepower. The teams traded buckets over the first three minutes of the fourth, but Houghton got a three from Reed and a traditional three-point play from Lenart to push the lead to 63-38. Maisie Pipher (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian) converted a fast break layin, and after a Wells turnover, Lenart hit a quick jumper on the inbounds to cap a 10-0 run.

After two free throws from Wells, Reed nailed another three and Pipher converted a layup to make the score 72-40 with 3:43 left. 

The Highlanders outscored the Express 28-11 in the final frame.

Reed finished with 20 points, while knocking down 4-of-9 from long range. Lenart added 17 points and all-tournament selection Pipher contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Leslie Moose (Swain, NY, Canaseraga HS) finished with a double-double with 10 points, a team-high 13 rebounds and six assists.

Houghton shot 45 percent from the field and 8-of-17 from three point range, while holding Wells to 23 percent and just 1-of-25 from deep. Houghton also held a 51-34 rebounds advantage.

The Highlanders travel to take on Pitt-Bradford in their next contest Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.