HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The Houghton Highlanders pulled away down the stretch to secure their first Empire 8 Conference victory of the season, defeating the St. John Fisher Cardinals, 71-66, at the Nielsen Center.
 
After the Cardinals tied the score to open the final period, the Highlanders reeled off an 8-0 run, capped by an impressive bucket in the paint by Madison Detwiler.
 
While Fisher never quit, three Highlander free throws in the final seconds secured the victory.
 
The win is the first time Houghton has defeated St. John Fisher since joining the Empire 8 in 2012-13.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 71 | St. John Fisher – 66
Records: Houghton: 7-3 | St. John Fisher: 3-7
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 112

Key Moments
>> A high-tempo first quarter saw the Cardinals jump out to an early six-point advantage before Hannah Manwaring nailed a three, then later sank a pair of free throws to tie the score.  The two teams battled back-and-forth throughout the first 10 minutes, but Manwaring again sank a clutch three with one second remaining on the clock to put the Highlanders up, 28-25, heading into the second quarter.
 
>> After trading leads throughout the second, Houghton owned a one-point advantage with less than a minute remaining.  The Highlanders missed a layup opportunity, but Manwaring grabbed the rebound and sank the put-back to give Houghton a three-point lead at the break.
 
>> Without doubt, the third quarter has given the Highlanders the most difficulty so far this season, and the opening minutes looked shaky as Fisher built a four-point lead.  But Houghton quickly righted the ship, leaning on sophomore Emily Swanson, who twice sank back-to-back free throws to tie or give the Highlanders the lead, and eventually put them up by four with a fast-break layup.
 
Key Stats
>> While Fisher outscored the Highlanders in the paint, 42-20, Houghton held the Cardinals to only 1-of-14 shooting from three-point range.  Houghton, meanwhile, sank 6-of-15 from long distance and made 21-of-27 shots from the line.

>> Elle Reed posted 22 points and eight rebounds to lead the Highlanders.  It is the fifth time this season she has scored more than 20 points in a game.

>> Manwaring, despite some foul trouble, collected 16 points and eight rebounds while Swanson scored a career-high 12 points and added three assists.
 
>> Emily Piacentini led the Cardinals with 14 points, and teammate Jessica Rhone contributed 13 points and nine rebounds.

Coach's Corner
"I am very proud of our overall team effort and performance tonight.  With two of our starters on the bench for a large portion of the game, we had key contributions off the bench. 

"Emily Swanson provided some key shots and free throws at the pivotal moments in the second half while Laurie Call continues to provide a very aggressive defense that scraps her way to deflections and steals that changes the momentum of the game.

"Elle Reed  and Hannah Manwaring had very solid performances tonight.  I was very proud of their leadership, composure and determination on the floor tonight.

"St. John Fisher is a great team and this was a big win for us.  We definitely will enjoy it and be ready to get back to work tomorrow against Nazareth." –Coach Alicia Mucher

Next Time Out
The Highlanders return to action tomorrow afternoon, as they host another top-tier Empire 8 opponent, Nazareth College.  Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m.