UTICA, N.Y. – The Utica Pioneers clinched the third seed in the Empire 8 conference tournament on Tuesday night, defeating the Houghton Highlanders, 94-66.
 
The Pioneers shot 54 percent from the field, including 44 percent from long range, and took advantage of 18 Houghton turnovers while committing only seven themselves. 
 
A 10-0 run by the Pioneers midway through the first half, and moments later extended their lead to 24 points.
 
Houghton slowly began to chip away, reeling off a 12-0 run of their own, to bring the deficit back to 12 points, but Utica quickly answered, closing out the half with an 8-0 stretch to enter the locker room up, 47-27.
 
While the second half played far more evenly, the Highlanders never broke the 20-point-deficit barrier.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 66 | Utica – 94
Records: Houghton: 5-19 (3-10 Empire 8) | Utica: 18-6 (9-4 Empire 8)
Venue: Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Utica College| Attendance: 290
 
KEY STATS
>> Isander Ramos-Net finished with a team-high 18 points for the Highlanders, the 18^th time he has scored in double-digits this season, while Isaac Dow posted a career-high 14 points.
 
>> Darius Hopkins and Kobe Lufkin led the Pioneers with 17 and 14 points apiece, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
Houghton will play their final game of the season on Saturday, February 22 when they host cross-county and Empire 8 rival Alfred University in the Nielsen Center at 2:00 p.m.