UTICA, N.Y. – The Houghton Highlanders secured a home playoff game in the first round of the Empire 8 conference tournament, defeating the Utica Pioneers on the road, 64-52.
 
Houghton outscored the Pioneers over the final six minutes of play, 19-5, overcoming a three-point fourth-quarter deficit to pick up their 17^th win of the season. 
 
The Highlanders also received some help from conference rival, Alfred University, who defeated the Elmira Soaring Eagles this afternoon, creating a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference standing.  Houghton receives the highest seed due to a tie-breaker.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 64 | Utica – 52
Records: Houghton: 17-8 (10-8 Empire 8) | Utica: 10-15 (5-13 Empire 8)
Venue: Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Utica University| Attendance: 236
 
KEY STATS
>> While the Highlanders shot only 29 percent from the floor, they forced 22 Utica turnovers and committed only 13.  Houghton also maintained an 11-to-4 advantage in blocked shots.
 
>> Kayla Camacho led the Highlanders with 19 points, going 5-for-9 from the floor, 5-for-8 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 4-for-4 from the line.  Camacho also pulled down eight rebounds and dished out seven assists.  She reached double-digit points for the ninth time this season, and crossed the 200-point mark for the season.
 
>> Abby Guiher posted a season-high 12 points, knocking down a trio of three-pointers, while Crysta Lacrosse and Carlee Miller collected 10 points and six rebounds, and 12 points and nine rebounds, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will host the Elmira Soaring Eagles in the first round of the Empire 8 conference tournament on Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m.  The two teams split their regular season matchups, with the Highlanders winning at Elmira on January 17, 55-53, and the Soaring Eagles winning at Houghton on February 7, 53-49.