UTICA, N.Y. – After playing to a 31-31 dead heat through the first 20 minutes, the Utica Pioneers pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat the Houghton Highlanders, 68-55. 
 
The Pioneers led by as many as eight points within the first five minutes of the game, but the Highlanders pulled back into contention, trimming the lead to only three on a Hannah Roeske layup to end the first quarter. 
 
Utica again pulled ahead in the second, leading by seven with 6:07 left before the half, but the Highlanders scored eight straight points to go ahead by one, and the teams played to a draw at the break.
 
In the third the Pioneers began to pull away, shooting 47 percent from the floor, as a jumper by Kristine Miller put Utica up by five heading into the final period.
 
Houghton fought throughout the remaining minutes, but the short-handed squad playing their second game in two days ran out of gas, converting only 1-of-12 long-range shots in the final 10 minutes.  Utica continued to pound the inside-game, and sank 6-of-8 from the line, pulling away in the final few minutes.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 55 | Utica – 68
Records: Houghton: 7-8 (1-5 Empire 8) | Utica: 15-2 (6-2 Empire 8)
Venue: Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Utica College| Attendance: 142
 
KEY STATS
>> For the second night in a row, the Highlanders took only two shots from the free throw line, both by Carlee Miller.  Utica sank 12-of-18 from the line, including 10-of-14 from leading scorer Sydney Przygoda.
 
>> Houghton's high-pressure defense forced the Pioneers into 11 turnovers, while the Highlanders committed only seven giveaways. 
 
>> Alexis Klohr led the Highlanders with 15 points, going 7-of-14 from the floor, while Hannah Roeske scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds.  Klohr has now scored in the double-digits in eight of the team's 15 games.
 
>> Przygoda posted a game-high 24 points and collected 10 rebounds and five assists.  Teammate Kristine Miller turned in 16 points, 16 rebounds and three blocked shots.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders stay on the road next week, travelling to Alfred University on Tuesday to take on the Saxons at 7:30 p.m.