ALFRED, N.Y. – Stellar defense and a big first quarter gave the Houghton Highlanders an early lead and they never looked back, defeating conference rival Alfred University, 59-40.
 
Alfred scored the first four points of the game and led 8-5 after the first four minutes before Hannah Manwaring (Barton, NY, Tioga Central HS) and Elle Reed (Sherman, NY, Sherman Central School) hit back-to-back threes to give the Highlanders their first and final lead of the game. 
 
The Highlanders finished the first quarter on a 19-3 run and built their lead to a 19 point margin to conclude the half, 38-19.
 
Houghton led by as many as 26 in the fourth quarter.  The Saxons battled back, equaling the Highlanders point total in the second half but ultimately could not overcome the deficit.
 
Game Vitals:
      >Score:  Houghton College - 59  |   Alfred University - 40
      >Records:  Houghton College: 8-9 (2-6 Empire 8)   |  Alfred University: 1-16 (0-8 Empire 8)
      >Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred, NY|    Attendance:  94
 
Clutch Performances:
The Highlanders:
      >Reed totaled 17 points, three assists and four steals.
      >Maisie Pipher (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian) added 11 points and six rebounds.
      >Esther Webb (Houghton, NY, Fillmore Central) scored a season-high nine points and brought down seven rebounds.
     
The Saxons:
      >Maddi Flint collected 13 points and eight rebounds.
       
Stat Analysis:
      >The Highlanders held their opponent to under 30 percent shooting for the third time in the last four games.  The 40 points scored against them is the second lowest total the Highlanders have given up this year.
      >Houghton held the advantage in rebounds, 44-39.
 
Next Time Out:
The Highlanders play their first conference rematch of the season when they host the Nazareth College Golden Flyers at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  The Golden Flyers won the first matchup on January 12, 59-76, in Rochester.