HOUGHTON, N.Y. – On a night that meant so much more than basketball to the Houghton women, the Highlanders defeated the Utica College Pioneers, 72-63.
 
With teal shoelaces and warm up shirts, the Highlanders honored Houghton alum Lori Wynn ('92), who has been battling ovarian cancer for the past year. 
 
Wynn played both basketball and soccer for the Highlanders and is currently the head women's basketball coach at Geneva College.  While she has responded well to treatment, she still has a long fight ahead of her. 

To show support and raise needed funds for Wynn's medical expenses, the Highlanders joined the "Wynn the Battle" campaign, an effort that originated at Geneva and extended across the President's Athletic Conference in recent weeks.
 
Unlike the last time the Houghton Highlanders and Utica Pioneers met, no fourth quarter comeback or heroics were necessary.
 
After falling behind by five at the half, the Highlanders shut down the Utica offensive attack, outscoring the Pioneers by 14 in the second half.
 
Elle Reed and Madison Detwiler posted 22 and 20 points apiece, respectively, as the Highlanders defeated the Pioneers for the second time this season.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 72 | Utica – 63
Records: Houghton: 11-11 (5-8 Empire 8) | Utica: 6-16 (4-9 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College| Attendance: 152

Key Moments
>> Houghton jumped out to an eight point lead late in the first quarter, capped by a Laurie Call three, before Utica reeled of six straight points to close the quarter down by only two.
 
>> The Pioneers quickly pulled ahead in the second quarter, scoring 10 straight points. 
 
Houghton trailed by six with 43 seconds remaining in the half when Brittany Lenart nailed a three to pull the Highlanders within three points, but the Pioneers sank a jumper on the ensuing possession to head into the break up by five.
 
>> Detwiler gave the Highlanders back the lead with a spin move layup in the paint, but the Pioneers kept things close for the remainder of the quarter.
 
>>Inside of three minutes the Pioneers trailed by only two when Elle Reed made a layup and the Highlanders proceeded to sink seven of their next eight foul shots to seal the game.
 
Key Stats
>> After shooting a red-hot 71 percent in the second quarter, the Pioneers came out of the break cold, hitting only 18 percent of their shots in the third quarter.
 
>> The Highlanders committed a season-low nine turnovers, while the Pioneers turned the ball over 16 times.
 
>> Detwiler's 20 points benchmarked a new career high for the sophomore forward.  In addition to her scoring, she also pulled down seven rebounds and blocked four shots.
 
>> Lenart posted 13 points and four assists for the Highlanders.
 
>> Ashley Mayo led the Pioneers with a game-high 28 points and added nine rebounds and three steals.

Coach's Corner
"Tonight was a very nice win for us.  Utica is a nice ball team.  After a lack of execution of our defensive game plan in the first half allowed them 40 points, we came out in the second with a much better defensive performance.  This was a great determination and focus as a team.    
 
"[Reed], [Detwiler] and [Lenart] were key for us on the offensive end, creating well out of our offense both inside and outside.   All three also hit 100 percent of their shots from the free throw line. 
 
"Hannah Manwaring was solid on the boards tonight and Laurie [Call] did a great job keeping our team under control and pushing in transition when we needed it." –Coach Alicia Mucher 
 
Next Time Out
The Highlanders are right back at it tomorrow, returning to the Nielsen Center to take on the Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks at 2:00 p.m.  The Ducks defeated the Highlanders earlier this season, 49-87.