UTICA, N.Y. – Brittany Lenart scored 17 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Houghton Highlanders in a dramatic comeback victory over the Utica Pioneers on Saturday, 65-61.
 
The Pioneers held a seven point advantage heading into the final quarter and scored the opening basket to put them up by nine. 
 
From that point on, Lenart went 5-of-6 from the field, including 4-of-4 from three-point range and 3-of-4 from the free throw line to finish with a career-high 22 points.
 
As Lenart began to heat up the Houghton offense, the Highlander defense locked down, holding the Pioneers to only 10 more points the remainder of the way.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 65 | Utica – 61
Records: Houghton: 8-8 (2-5 Empire 8) | Utica: 5-11 (3-4 Empire 8)
Venue: Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Utica College | Attendance: 150

Key Moments
>> In the opening minutes of the second quarter Utica opened up an 11-point lead.  The Highlanders, though, quickly responded with a 9-1 run.
 
The Pioneers extended the lead back to seven before Elle Reed hit a clutch three in the final seconds of the half to send the Highlanders to the locker room down four.
 
>> The two teams traded baskets throughout the opening minutes of the third quarter, but Utica eventually capitalized on an 11-0 run to go up by 10. 
 
>> In the fourth, Lenart started an 8-0 Houghton run that Reed capped with a layup.  The Pioneers answered with a layup of their own, but Lenart then nailed the first of her four threes to tie the game.
 
Moments later Lenart sank another three to give the Highlanders the lead, and the team never looked back.
 
Utica came within two in the final seconds, but Lenart sank two clutch free throws to close out the game for the Highlanders.
 
Key Stats
>> Houghton connected on 10 shots from beyond the arch, their second highest total of the season, including seven in the second half.

>> The Highlanders held a 42-35 advantage on the glass.

>> Reed finished her day with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists.
 
>> Emily Swanson added eight points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Highlanders, while Madison Detwiler also chipped in eight points and 10 rebounds.
 
>> Ashley Mayo led the Pioneers 20 points, six rebounds and three steals, while Ashelynne Babb added 10 points, six assists and three steals.

Coach's Corner
"This week we really preached to our girls the importance of defending every game.  When we got down by 10 in the fourth we dialed in and got key defensive stops to put us in a great position at the end of the game.
 
"Hannah [Manwaring], Madison [Detwiler] and Emily [Swanson] pulled down pivotal boards down the stretch.
 
"The spark to our defense all game was a testament to Laurie [Call]'s energy and intensity.  She led us well on that end of the floor.
 
"Elle [Reed] hit shots early and Utica's attention was geared toward her in the second half.  Our team recognized that and moved the ball well to find additional options.  Brittany [Lenart] came up big.  She stepped into her shot with confidence today and that gave us momentum we needed.
 
"Utica is well-coached team and they are always ready to play.  The have quick guards and have had some big conference wins.  This was definitely a good win for us." –Coach Alicia Mucher
 
Next Time Out
The Highlanders head to Rochester on Tuesday, January 24 for a rematch with the St. John Fisher Cardinals at 6:00 p.m.  In this season's prior matchup, Houghton defeated the Cardinals, 71-66, at the Nielsen Center.