HOUGHTON, NY— Less than 24 hours after winning big over Wells College, the Houghton Highlanders pulled out an an overtime nail-biter over the visiting Penn College Wildcats, 71-66. 
 
Amanda Jackson drained a three-pointer as time expired to send the game to overtime, and the Highlanders sank 9-of-10 free throws in the extra period to pull off their sixth victory of the season.
 
Houghton once again came out with guns blazing, opening up a 37-27 lead by the half, but the Wildcats battled back in the second half.  Penn outscored the Highlanders, 17-11, in the third quarter, but still trailed by four heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
With seven minutes remaining the Wilcats hit a three that put them up by one, their first lead of the game, and the two teams traded baskets into the final minute.
 
With only 57 seconds left to play Ja'Quela Dyer sank a jumper that put the Wildcats up by four.  A free throw by Abby Guiher pulled Houghton within three, and a costly offensive foul on Penn allowed Amanda Jackson to sink a pair from the foul line to pull within a point.
 
Two free throws by Amanda Teats with 11 seconds on the clock again put the Wildcats up by three, setting the stage for Jackson's end-of-regulation heroics.  Alexis Klohr dribbled left, allowing Jackson to come off a screen by Carlee Miller at the top of the arc.  Jackson took the pass from Klohr, pump fake a shot and took a step to her left before draining the shot just before the buzzer.
 
Houghton then carried the momentum through the overtime period, outscoring Penn, 9-4, in the final five minutes.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 71 | Penn – 66 (OT)
Records: Houghton: 6-3 | Penn: 1-7
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 185

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton's high pressure defense once again caused havoc.  The Wildcats committed 33 turnovers, while the Highlanders gave the ball away only 14 times.  Penn did, however, dominate the glass, pulling down 21 more rebounds than the Highlanders, 54-33.
 
>> Guiher finished with a team-high, and new career-best, 17 points, including four three-pointers and added five steals.  Over the past two days, she scored 33 points with nine steals.
 
>> Jackson finished with 16 points, while Carlee Miller added 13 points, seven rebounds, three steals and three assists.
 
>> Alexis Klohr posted 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.
 
>> Dyer and Teats proved a tough combination to stop for the Wildcats, as the former collected 14 points and 17 rebounds, and the latter posted 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders head into final exams next week and will then take time for Christmas break before returning to play on Tuesday, January 4.  Houghton will open Empire 8 conference play at Nazareth College at 5:30 p.m.