ROCHESTER, N.Y. Houghton women's basketball team fell 73-60 to Nazareth on Saturday, in Empire 8 conference play. The loss sets the Highlanders back to 8-7 overall on the year, 4-2 in Empire 8 play.
 
The Highlanders jumped out early on a 7-0 run and controlled the first two minutes of play. Houghton continued to find the basket, but Nazareth wasn't too far behind coming within one-point with 34 seconds left in the first quarter.
 
At the 4:58 mark of the second quarter the Golden Flyers took the lead, 28-27. The Highlanders were able to tie the game a couple of times, but Nazareth regained the lead 38-36 heading into halftime.
 
The Golden Flyers used the second half to pull away from the Highlanders increasing their lead by as many as 10-points in the third quarter. However, the Highlanders battled back cutting the lead to four-points going into the fourth quarter.
 
Despite Houghton's fourth quarter efforts, Nazareth maintained their lead ultimately taking the game, 73-60.
 
GAME VITALS                           
Score: Houghton – 60 | Nazareth – 73
Records: Houghton – 8-7, 4-2 Empire 8 | Nazareth– 6-6, 2-1 Empire 8
Venue: Kidera Gymnasium - Nazareth College | Attendance: 213
  
NOTABLE STATS
>> Two Highlanders scored in double figures with Brittany Lenart notching 13 points and Emily Swanson collecting 10.
 
>> Golden Flyer's Rachel Benedict collected a career-high and double-double of 26 points and 13 boards, while teammates Lizzie Straub (15 points) and Delaney Martin (10 points) also scored in double figures.
 
>> The Highlanders won the battle of the boards out-rebounding the Golden Flyers 40-32.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders continue conference play against Utica College on January 19^th at 8:00 PM in the Nielsen Center.