KEUKA PARK, NY— The Keuka Wolves stunned the visiting Houghton Highlanders on Friday night, picking up their first conference win of the season in dramatic fashion, 54-51.
 
With Houghton needing wins tonight and tomorrow for at the third seed in the Empire 8 conference tournament, the Wolves came out of the gates fast, scoring the first 10 points of the game and leading at the end of the first quarter, 16-8.
 
Houghton battled back in the second quarter, but the Wolves continued to pull ahead.  By the break, Keuka led by nine, 30-21, and at the end of the third quarter it looked like the Highlanders fate was sealed, as they trailed, 44-31.
 
The Highlanders chipped away throughout the final 10 minutes, but with 1:28 left on the clock, Keuka's Sydney Brown sank a three-pointer to put the Wolves up by eight.
 
But a layup by Emma Cole, followed by a steal and a three-pointer from Michaella Roth, pulled Houghton within only three points with 51 seconds remaining.
 
Following two changes of possessions, the Wolves finally sank a free throw.  Now down by four points, Kayla Camacho drained another Houghton three to pull the Highlanders within a single point, 52-51, with only three seconds remaining.
 
Houghton fouled, taking only one second off the clock, but Keuka's Killian Mahoney sank both free throws at the opposite end of the court.
 
The Highlanders immediately called timeout and advanced the ball past midcourt with 1.3 seconds remaining.  Crysta Lacrosse took the inbounds pass to the corner and pulled up from beyond the arc.  But the shot bounced off the back of the rim, giving Keuka the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 51 | Keuka – 54
Records: Houghton: 16-8 (9-8 Empire 8) | Keuka: 4-20 (1-16 Empire 8)
Venue: JMW Recreation and Athletics Center, Keuka College | Attendance: 78

NOTABLE STATS
>> For the first time this season, not a single Highlander's player scored at least 10 points.  Lacrosse posted nine to lead the team, while adding five assists and five rebounds.
 
>> Carlee Miller pulled down nine rebounds and added five points, while Cole posted seven points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.
 
UP NEXT
Houghton heads to Utica tomorrow afternoon, where they will finish the regular season with a matchup with the Pioneers at 2:00 p.m.