HOUGHTON, N.Y. – A gutsy defensive effort and some additional scoring power in the second and fourth quarters, lifted the Houghton Highlanders past the Utica Pioneers for the second time this season, 73-52.
 
Houghton grabbed an early lead in the first quarter then started to click offensively in the second, scoring 23 points thanks to runs of 13-3 and 7-0.
 
In the third quarter the Pioneers made a couple of runs at the Highlander lead, coming within six points on two occasions, but Houghton answered each with a response.  First, freshman guard Brittany Lenart (Panama, NY, Panama HS) drained a three-pointer, then Maisie Pipher (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian) and Madison Detwiler (Williamsburg, PA, Williamsburg HS) each sank a pair of free throws and a layup to put the Highlanders up by 14.
 
By the fourth quarter the Pioneers seemed to run out of gas, never coming closer than 14 points, and the Highlanders pulled away for the victory.
 
Game Vitals:
      >Score:  Houghton College - 73  |   Utica College - 52
      >Records:  Houghton College: 9-12 (3-9 Empire 8)   |   Utica: 8-13 (3-9 Empire 8)
      >Venue: Nielsen Center, Houghton, NY    |    Attendance: 167
 
Clutch Performances:
The Highlanders:
      >Elle Reed (Sherman, NY, Sherman Central School) scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds
      >Pipher collected her ninth double-double of the season, posting 15 points and 12 rebounds, and adding 5 blocked shots.
      >Hannah Manwaring (Barton, NY, Tioga Central HS) chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds, and freshman Madison Detwiler scored nine points and pulled down seven boards in 13 minutes of play.
 
The Pioneers:
      >Alaina Tripp and Ashley Mayo scored 12 and 10 points apiece, respectively.
       
Stat Analysis:
      >The Highlanders held the Pioneers below 30 percent shooting while going 26 for 46 (40 percent) from the field and 14 of 16 from the line (87.5 percent).
      >Houghton out-rebounded Utica by 22 boards, 54-32.
 
Next Time Out:
Houghton looks to avenge an earlier season loss when they travel to Elmira College on Tuesday for a rematch with the Soaring Eagles at 8:00 p.m.  The Highlanders held a six point lead after three quarters only to see the Soaring Eagles nab the victory in the final frame, 56-67.