BUFFALO, N.Y. – After playing to a 55-55 deadlock through the first 30 minutes, the Villa Maria Vikings capitalized on an 11-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to defeat the Houghton Highlanders, 80-75.
 
Trailing by 14 with only 2:25 remaining, the Highlanders never quit, and just over two minutes later a pair of Hannah Manwaring free throws pulled Houghton within three.  Forced to foul, the Vikings sank a pair of free throws of their own and the Highlanders could not make another basket.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 75 | Villa Maria – 80
Records: Houghton: 4-2 | Villa Maria: 6-5
Venue: Viking Athletic Center, Villa Maria College| Attendance: 100

Key Moments
>> The Vikings led for the vast majority of the first half, but Elle Reed shouldered the offensive load for the Highlanders, scoring nine consecutive points over the final two minutes to send the teams to the locker room tied at 37.
 
>> The game remained a seesaw battle throughout the third quarter before swinging wildly over the final minutes, leading to the exciting finish.  Manwaring, Reed and Leslie Moose combined to lead the Highlanders on a 12-2 run to close the gap on the Vikings.
 
Key Stats
>> The Highlanders struggled from the floor, shooting less than 32 percent (24-76) on the night, but once again shot well from the line, sinking 20 of 28 foul shots.
 
The Vikings sank 44 percent (30-68) of their shots from the floor but managed to hit only 61 percent (14-23) from the foul line.
 
>> Houghton's work on the boards truly kept them in the game, as they out-rebounded Villa Maria, 57-40, including 24-7 on the offensive end.  The Highlanders work on the glass led to 18 second chance points, while the Vikings scored only five.

>> Reed finished the night with 24 points and four rebounds for the Highlanders, while teammate Madison Detwiler picked up her first double-double of the season, posting 17 points and 13 rebounds.

>> Moose nearly joined Detwiler, missing a double-double by one point.  She grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds and chipped in nine points.  Manwaring finished with 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
>> Armoni Jordan scored a game-high 26 points for the Vikings, and teammate Jayvonna Kincannon posted an impressive line of 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
 
Next Time Out
With no rest for the weary, Houghton travels cross-county tomorrow to take on the Pioneers of Alfred State College.  The Highlanders have won three of the past four meetings between the two teams, including a 76-56 victory to open the season less than a month ago.  Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.