UTICA, N.Y. – The Utica Pioneers picked up their 13^th win of the season over the Houghton Highlanders on Saturday evening, 74-37.
 
After a hot start by the Highlanders, the day quickly turned ice cold.
 
Houghton scored the first eight points of the game and led 15-5 just over five minutes into the game.  From that point on, however, Houghton made just 10 of their final 56 shots (18 percent).
 
By the 11:40 mark Utica had tied the game at 15-15, and finished the first half on a 33-2 run.
 
While the Pioneers did not shoot the lights out either, making only 39 percent of their shots, they continued to pull away in the second half.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 37 | Utica – 74
Records: Houghton: 1-23 (0-15 Empire 8) | Utica: 13-11 (7-8 Empire 8)
Venue: Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Utica College| Attendance: 150
 
KEY STATS
>> Utica won the battles of rebounds, 51-35, and turnover, 13-9.
 
>> The Pioneers sank 13-of-17 free throws.  Houghton attempted a season-low three shots from the line, converting one.
 
>> Jordan Holmes led the Highlanders with 12 points and three assists.
 
>> Darius Hopkins scored a game-high 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds for the Pioneers.

COACH'S CORNER
"We will 'consider it pure joy when we experience various trials', and we are certainly experiencing trials and doing our best to learn and grow from each one.

"Our guys were ready to go from the jump.  This was a huge improvement from a few weeks ago when we had back-to-back road trips.  I was proud of how our guys prepared mentally to be ready to play today.

"Unfortunately, we hit a dry spell and Utica got hot.  We got away from what we do a little in the back end of the first half, which led to a big run by them.

"Not have [Isander Ramos-Net] hurt us a little bit, but Scottie [Berghaus] and [Jon Burns] gave us some good minutes in his absence.

"These guys just keep coming.  I am grateful for their coachability and their eagerness to get better.  We will get better.  That's all we know." -Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
Houghton will play their final game of the season on Tuesday, February 19 when they host the St. John Fisher Cardinals in the Nielsen Center at 7:30 p.m.