UTICA, N.Y. –After taking a four point lead into the half, the Houghton Highlanders watched as the Utica Pioneers stormed back in the second half to win the game, 67-53.
 
The Highlanders shot only 6-of-24 (25 percent) in the second half, scoring only 17 points.
 
The Pioneers, on the other hand, improved their output, knocking down 48 percent of their second half shots to more than double the Highlanders second half total.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 53 | Utica – 67
Records: Houghton: 7-9 (2-5 Empire 8) | Utica: 4-12 (4-3 Empire 8)
Venue: Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Utica College| Attendance: 250

Key Moments
>> With the score knotted at 12 halfway through the first half, the Highlanders reeled off an 8-0 run, capped by a Phil Pellegrino layup.
 
Moments later Pellegrino would nail a three to put Houghton up by 12, their largest lead of the game.
 
Utica, however, refused to go away, trimming the Houghton lead to only four points as the teams took to the locker rooms at the half.
 
>> The Pioneers wasted little time reversing their fortunes in the second half, quickly building an 11-point lead.
 
With seven minutes remaining, Dylan Lambert drained a three-pointer to bring Houghton within six, but that would be the closest the team would come for the remainder of the game.
 
Key Stats
>> Utica held a significant advantage on the turnover board, committing only six turnovers, while the Highlanders gave the ball away 15 times.  The Pioneers converted Houghton's turnovers into 13 points, while the Highlanders scored only four points on their takeaways.

>> Lambert scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Highlanders, while teammate Johnathan Stowe added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

>> Carl Taylor scored a game-high 17 points, dished out five assists and picked up four steals for the Pioneers.  Teammate Ivan Iton also scored 12 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

Coach's Corner
"We got out-worked and out-coached tonight.  I did a poor job of preparing our guys for this game.  We did a poor job of executing our game plan.
 
"Utica did exactly what they wanted to do, and we did exactly what Utica wanted us to do, as well. This one is on me.
 
"We have a long way to go, but our players are trusting the process and staying the course.  I love our team.  We'll take tomorrow off to focus on Jesus and all the amazing things he has done for us, then we'll get back to work on Monday.
 
"This game will make us better down the road." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
Next Time Out
The Highlanders head to Rochester on Tuesday, January 24 for a rematch with the St. John Fisher Cardinals at 8:00 p.m.  In this season's prior matchup, The Cardinals defeated the Highlanders, 70-60, at the Nielsen Center.