HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders put their foot on the gas in the second half, pulling away from the Medaille Mavericks for their 14^th win of the season, 65-53.
 
After the Highlanders jumped out to an 18-13 lead in the first quarter, the Mavericks battled back, pulling to within a point at the half, 32-31.
 
But Houghton's high-pressure defense and bench depth slowly began to wear the Mavericks down. 
 
The Highlanders knocked down 8-of-14 (57%) shots from the floor in the third quarter, extending their lead to eight points, 51-43. 
 
The fourth quarter belonged to Crysta Lacrosse and the Highlanders.  The freshman point guard scored eight of her team-high 18 points in the final 10 minutes, as Houghton continued to pull away, eventually stretching the lead into double-digits.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 65 | Medaille – 53
Records: Houghton: 14-4 (7-4 Empire 8) | Medaille: 5-11 (3-7 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 132

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton's 14 wins this season are the most for the program since 2009-10, when the team finished 18-10.
 
>> The Highlanders scored 18 points off 17 Medaille turnovers, while the Mavericks scored only five points off 12 Houghton turnovers.
 
>> Lacrosse has now reached double-digit points in each of her last six games, and done so a total of 10 times this season.  She also dished out five assists on the night, the sixth time this season she has tallied five assists or more.
 
>> Kayla Camacho came within one point of her first career double-double, pulling down 10 rebounds and scoring nine points.  Carlee Miller posted nine points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.
 
>> Hannah Siewert came off the bench to score a career-high eight points, while adding five rebounds and three steals.
 
>> Medaille's Erin Hardick knocked down 4-of-6 from three point range, and 7-of-9 from the line for a game-high 22 points.   
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Medaille is a very tough and well-coach team.  They executed what they wanted to do on both ends.
 
"Having said that, I think the mark of a good team is being able to win any type of game.  We were able to withstand runs and stay composed when it didn't feel like our day.
 
"Again, I'm so proud of our mental toughness and composure to keep battling and finding ways to win.
 
"We have such a young group, which normally leads to mental lapses, but I've never seen anyone [on our team] fold under pressure.  It's something special.
 
"We have very tough road trips ahead of us.  We will make sure we are mentally, physically and emotionally prepared!  I can't wait for the challenge." – Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Rochester this next Friday, February 3^rd for a rematch with the Nazareth Golden Flyers.  Nazareth defeated Houghton earlier this season, at the Nielsen Center, 56-43.