ALFRED, NY— The Houghton Highlanders (3-3) pulled back to .500 on Friday night, as they defeated the Alfred State Pioneers (4-3), 62-48.
 
After the Highlanders took an eight-point lead into the half, the Pioneers battled back, eventually tying the score, 34-34, on a pair of free throws by My'ana Davis midway through the third quarter.
 
Houghton responded with a 10-2 run over the next three minutes, capped by a Michaella Roth jumper, before Alfred State nailed a three to trim the Houghton lead to five points heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
The Pioneers would remain within striking distance through the first six minutes of the final period, but Houghton finally broke free.  A jumper by Amanda Jackson kick-started a 12-3 Highlanders run, closing out the game with a flurry as Houghton pulled away.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 62 | Alfred State – 48
Records: Houghton: 3-3 | Alfred State: 4-3    
Venue: Orvis Activities Center, Alfred State College | Attendance: 115

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton committed only 12 turnovers on the night, while Alfred State gave the ball away 19 times.  The Highlanders doubled the Pioneers points-off-turnovers, 14-7.
 
>> Jackson led the Highlanders with 15 points, eight rebounds and two assists.  She has been the team's leading scorer in each of the last four games and five of the first six games of the season.  She currently leads the team with 16.2 points-per-game.
 
>> Carlee Miller scored a career-high 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while adding six rebounds and two assists.  Hannah Roeske added 12 points and three steals, and Alexis Klohr dished out a team-high six assists and grabbed seven rebounds.
 
>> Emily Kelly turned in an impressive performance for the Pioneers, posting 14 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocks while playing all 40 minutes of the game. 
 
>> Houghton has now won eight of the last nine matchups between the two inter-county rivals.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Tuesday, December 7, when they will host the SUNY Canton Roos at 5:30 p.m.  The two teams last met on December 3, 2016, when the Highlanders defeated the Roos, 59-43.  Houghton has won all six matchups between the two teams.