UTICA, N.Y. – The Utica Pioneers overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat the Houghton Highlanders on Saturday afternoon, 70-60. 
 
Houghton began the second half with a slim one-point lead but quickly pulled away thanks to a 14-2 run capped by a David Rosa three-pointer and a Josh Jordan three-point play.
 
With the Highlanders leading 45-33 with just under 16 minutes to play, the Pioneers came back with a flurry.  In just over two minutes Utica pulled with a point, and one minute later Justice Brantley hit a jumper that gave the Pioneers the lead.
 
With 10 minutes to play, Brantley drained a three put the Pioneers up by six, but Houghton continued to fight, and just over four minutes later Rosa sank a three of his own that knotted the score, 57-57.
 
Utica pulled ahead again, going up by seven with just over a minute remaining on the clock, when Billy McCrae hit a three to pull Houghton within four points.  But forced to play the foul game, Houghton would pull no closer, as the Pioneers scored the game's final six points to complete the come-from-behind victory.  
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 60 | Utica – 70
Records: Houghton: 1-13 (1-4 Empire 8) | Utica: 12-3 (6-1 Empire 8)
Venue: Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Utica College| Attendance: 227
 
KEY STATS
>> Rosa, who missed the first seven games of the season with an injury, finished with a career-high 17 points, knocking down 6-of-11 shots, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.  He had established his previous career-best nine points last night at St. John Fisher.
 
>> Josh Jordan picked up 14 points and nine rebounds, shooting 6-of-10 from the floor for the Highlanders.
 
>> While Houghton outrebounded Utica, 37-32, they also committed more than twice as many turnovers, 20-8.
 
>> After shooting only 35 percent in the first half, including only 1-for-15 from three-point range, the Pioneers sank 58 percent of their shots in the second half, and 4-for-8 from long distance.  The Highlanders shot 40 percent for the game, but knocked down 48 percent (11-for-23) from beyond the arc.
 
>> Darius Hopkins and Kobe Lufkin paced the Pioneers, scoring 23 and 19 points apiece, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders stay on the road next week, travelling to Alfred University on Tuesday to take on the Saxons at 5:30 p.m.  The Saxons have won the last three matchups between the two teams, including most recently, March 24, 2021, 85-72.