HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders improved to 6-0 on the season, defeating the visiting Cazenovia Wildcats on Wednesday night, 63-39.
 
Carlee Miller led the Highlanders' offensive attack, scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the line.
 
Meanwhile, the Highlanders laid waste to the boards, grabbing 60 total rebounds, 27 on the offensive glass.  Three Houghton players (Hannah Roeske, Michaella Roth and Emma Cole) all grabbed double-digit rebounds.
 
Houghton came out of the chute fast, outscoring the Wildcats, 19-6, over the first quarter.  Cazenovia regained their composure following the first 10 minutes, keeping pace with the Highlanders over the next 20 minutes, as Houghton scored only two more points than the Wildcats over that span.
 
While Cazenovia continued to play competitively, the first quarter hole would prove insurmountable, and as has happened repeatedly this season, by the fourth quarter Houghton's high-pressure defense had taken its toll.  The Highlanders outpaced the Wildcats over the final 10 minutes, 14-5. 
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 63 | Cazenovia – 39
Records: Houghton: 6-0 | Cazenovia: 1-7
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 135

NOTABLE STATS
>> Miller has posted double-digit point totals in all six games this season and is currently shooting 52 percent from the floor.  She leads the team with 14.8 points per game.
 
>> Roeske totaled nine points, 11 rebounds—the first time this season she has reached double-digits—three steals and two blocks, while Cole collected 10 boards, eight points and six blocked shots.  Cole reached double-digit rebounds for the third time this season.  Roth pulled down a career-high 10 boards.
 
>> Houghton forced 21 Cazenovia turnovers while giving the ball away only 11 times, their second-lowest total this season.
 
>> The Highlanders' 6-0 record is the best start to any Houghton women's basketball season since 1992-93, when they began the season with seven straight wins.  The only other time that has been accomplished in Houghton basketball history was in 1970-71.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"It's great to get a win in front of the home crowd.  I'm very excited to get after it again in practice tomorrow, as we prep for our conference opener on the road.
 
"There's no such thing as an easy game in the Empire 8.  We will make sure we are ready for the challenge." – Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders open conference play this Saturday when they travel to Buffalo to take on the Medaille Mavericks at 2:00 p.m.   Houghton is 1-0 all-time against Medaille, winning the only matchup between the two teams, 57-48, on December 31, 2016.