HUNTINGDON, PA— A frantic fourth quarter comeback by the Houghton Highlanders women's basketball team fell short on Tuesday night, as they lost to Juniata Eagles on the road, 67-58.
 
Midway through the third quarter, Houghton's Emie Taylor grabbed an offensive rebound and made the put-back to pull the Highlanders within two points of the Eagles, 28-30.  But over the next seven minutes Juniata outscored the purple and gold, 27-9, building a 20-point lead.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Highlanders began to chip away at the deficit.  With 36 second remaining Caitlyn Cybart nailed a three from the corner to pull the Highlanders with eight point.  After Juniata converted the first free throw, Taylor grabbed the rebound when the second missed its mark. 
 
The Highlanders, however, were unable to draw closer when a turnover gave the ball back to the Eagles and could not foul again before time expired.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 58 |Juniata – 67
Records: Houghton: 2-8| Juniata: 3-5
Venue: Memorial Gymnasium, Juniata College | Attendance:

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton out-scored Juniata over the final eight minutes, 21-10.
 
>> Juniata maintained slim edges in shooting percentage (41%-to-37%), rebounds (46-40), and turnovers (18-20), but held a wide margin in second chance points, outscoring the Highlanders, 23-12, on put-backs.
 
>> The Eagles held Houghton guard Cori Beck to a season-low one assist on the night.  Beck, however, scored a season-high 13 points, going 5-for-11 from the field and knocking down the only three-pointer she took.
 
>> Sophomore Caitlyn Cybart continued to find her scoring touch, posting 14 points while shooting 5-of-11 from the floor.  Through the first eight games of the season, Cybart averaged 6.5 points-per-game, but has scored 29 points (14.5 ppg) in her last two outings.   
 
>> Taylor, who collected three fouls in the game's first 60 seconds and played only two minutes in the first half, ended the game with eight points and a team-high eight rebounds in only 12 total minutes.  Alex Steele added nine points and five assists for the Highlanders.
 
>> The Eagles were led by Grace Long (18 points, eight rebounds) and Gracie Stauffer (15 points, 12 rebounds).
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will have nearly a month off before their next game, when they will host the SUNY Fredonia Blue Devils on Saturday, January 4 at 4:00 p.m.