ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Despite a strong fourth quarter showing, the Houghton Highlanders were unable to overcome a 14-point halftime deficit, falling to the Nazareth Golden Flyers, 81-67.
 
While the Highlanders committed only 13 turnovers, 11 of them came in the first half.  The Golden Flyers gave the ball away only eight times, and converted the Houghton turnovers into 20 points while the Highlanders could convert their takeaways into only seven.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 67 | Nazareth – 81
Records: Houghton: 10-11 (4-8 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 9-12 (5-7 Empire 8)
Venue: Kidera Gymnasium, Nazareth College

Key Moments
>> After Nazareth finished the first quarter with a six-point lead the Highlanders tried to chip away in the second.  With seven minutes remaining in the half Hannah Manwaring converted a three-point play to bring the Highlanders within three.
 
>> Moments later another Manwaring jumper brought Houghton back to within four, but the Golden Flyers finished the half on a 10-0 run, building their lead to 14 points at the break.
 
>> Nazareth maintained their double-digit lead throughout the third, and pulled ahead by as many as 22 points early in the fourth.
 
>> The Highlanders refused to quit, and a three pointer by Laurie Call, followed by eight straight points by Brittany Lenart brought Houghton back to within 11 points.  That, however, would be as close as they would come as the clock expired.
 
Key Stats
>> While the Highlanders outrebounded the Golden Flyers, 45-37, Nazareth shot nearly 50 percent from the floor (31-63) while Houghton shot only 37 percent (27-73)

>> Lenart and Emily Swanson both tied their career high point totals, posting 22 and 16 points, respectively. 
 
>> Leslie Moose collected eight points and nine rebounds for the Highlanders.
 
>> Sam Sorge (22 points) and Samanta Peebles (19 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists) led the way for the Golden Flyers.
 
Next Time Out
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Friday for a rematch with the Utica College Pioneers at 6:00 p.m.  Houghton defeated the Pioneers earlier this season, 65-61, in Utica, thanks to a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback.