HOUGHTON, NY— For the second consecutive day the second half doomed a short-handed Houghton Highlanders women's basketball squad, as they fell to the visiting Russell Sage Gators on Saturday afternoon, 62-45. 
 
After Houghton outscored the Gators, 15-5, in the second quarter to take a 29-26 lead into the break, Sage responded by outscoring the Highlanders, 18-7 and 18-9 in the final two periods. 
 
Following the break Sage turned up their defense, forcing 15 Houghton turnovers, after the Highlanders committed only five in the first half. 
 
The Gators also locked down on Houghton point guard Alexis Klohr, who scored 17 points in the first half but only two in the second.  Meanwhile, Sage guard Sammy Pasinella posted 16 second-half points after the Highlanders held her to only two in the first 20 minutes.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 45 | Sage – 62
Records: Houghton: 7-6 (1-3 Empire 8) | Sage: 6-7 (2-2 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 123

NOTABLE STATS
>> Klohr tied her career-high with 19 points, which she established earlier this week against Keuka College.  She also added three assists, two steals and five rebounds.
 
>> Michaella Roth came off the bench to score a career-best 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting.  Roth drained all three shots she took from beyond the arc, and established another career-high with eight rebounds.
 
>> Pasinella added five assists to her 18 points, while Lauren Sanderson chipped in 17 points.  Kyra Oeffler picked up a double-double for the Gators, scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 boards, seven of which came on the offensive glass.
 
>> The Gators converted 15-of-18 shots from the free throw line, including 11-of-12 in the fourth quarter.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Rochester on Friday, January 21 to challenge the St. John Fisher Cardinals at 5:30 p.m.