ONEONTA, N.Y. – With only 54 seconds to play in the game, Houghton's Crysta Lacrosse sank a free throw, erasing a 15-point second quarter deficit, to give the Highlanders their first lead of the game.  Lacrosse would score three more points in the final seconds to seal the victory over the Hartwick Hawks, 63-59.
 
Hartwick raced out of the gates, knocking down 58 percent of their shots in the first quarter, and leading by as many as 11 in the opening minutes.
 
The second quarter looked like it would bring more of the same, as the Hawks gained a 15-point advantage with less than seven minutes to go before the half.
 
Houghton, however, refused to go away.  And slowly but surely, the Highlanders began to climb back into the game. 
 
At the half the Hartwick lead had been trimmed to eight points, but the Hawks nailed a three to open the third quarter to bolster their advantage to 11.  But again, Houghton continued to respond, eventually clawing back to within five points heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
With less than five minutes on the clock, Iyana Knights drained a three to tie the game, and over the ensuing minutes the teams traded points, but Houghton could not claim the lead.
 
Trailing by two inside of two minutes, Kayla Camacho drew a foul and hit both free throws to once again tie the game, 59-59.  On the ensuing possession, Hartwick turned the ball over, giving Houghton a shot at the lead.  The Highlanders missed an open three, but Lacrosse grabbed the offensive board and drew a foul, sending her to the line for the game-winning free throw.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 63 | Hartwick – 59
Records: Houghton: 10-3 (3-3 Empire 8) | Hartwick: 3-9 (1-5 Empire 8)
Venue: Lambros Arena, Hartwick College | Attendance: 87

NOTABLE STATS
>> After shooting only 27% from the floor in the first quarter, Houghton's offensive production improved progressively throughout the game, hitting 37.5% in the second, 40% in the third, and an astounding 70% from the field in the final 10 minutes.
 
>> Lacrosse finished with a team-high 16 points, nine of which came from the foul line.  The freshman guard also collected seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.  She is currently averaging 10.5 points per game, and has led the team in scoring four times this season.
 
>> Camacho scored a season-high 15 points, going 6-of-12 from the field.  Carlee Miller added 13 points for the Highlanders.  She currently leads the team with 11.8 points per game, and has reached double-digits in all but two games this season.
 
>> Sareena DiCerbo and Meghan Perry posted 13 points apiece for the Hawks.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"That was a very tenacious win by our team.  Hartwick was winning for 39 minutes of the game, but our group never gave up. 
 
"We made some timely shots and stops down the stretch, which turned out to be the difference.
 
"Hartwick got out to a hot start.  We just never went away, which makes me extremely proud.
 
"By the end of the game it felt like a home game for us with how into it our entire team was.
 
"We have a very tough E8 opponent on short rest tomorrow.  We will make sure we are ready to go!" –Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Albany tomorrow to challenge the Russell Sage Colleges Gators at 2:00 p.m.