HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton women's basketball ran into a tough St. John Fisher squad on Friday night, losing to the Cardinals 81-32 at the Nielsen Center.

The visitors didn't hold back early on, holding the Highlanders scoreless in the first quarter to take an 18-0 lead. The margin ballooned to as much as 35 (39-4) and the visitors led 41-9 at the half.

Houghton played better offensively in the second half, but they couldn't slow the Cardinals on the other end.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 32 | St. John Fisher – 81
Records: Houghton: 9-2 (2-2 Empire 8) | St. John Fisher: 9-2 (4-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 95

NOTABLE STATS
>> Freshman Iyana Knights finished with a career-high 11 points to lead the Highlanders. She added four rebounds.
>> Fellow freshman Emma Cole finished with eight points, six rebounds and four blocked shots, while first-year Crysta Lacrosse added six points and six rebounds.
>> The Highlanders struggled from long range, missing all 19 of their three-point attempts.
>> Overall field goal percentage went in favor of the Cardinals, who converted 45 percent of their shots while the Highlanders managed just 25 percent
 
COACH'S CORNER
"St. John Fisher is a very well coached team and they outplayed us tonight from the tip. We have awesome opportunity tomorrow against another great opponent to make things right.
 
This group is very strong and resilient. I'm excited to see them bounce back and play to the level that we are capable of doing." – Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will host Nazareth on Saturday at 2 p.m.