WINONA LAKE, IN— After trailing by five points at the half, the Houghton Highlanders stormed back to defeat Columbia International University, 63-56, to earn seventh place at the NCCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon.
 
The Highlanders jumped out to an early advantage, leading 17-14 at the end of the first quarter, but the Rams followed suit, taking the second quarter, 16-8, for a five-point lead at the half.
 
Houghton quickly cut the gap in the opening minutes of the second half, as Crysta Lacrosse drained a three and Kayla Camacho hit a fastbreak jumper. 
 
The two teams then raced neck-and-neck until Abby Guiher hit a three with 40 seconds remaining in the third to give Houghton a one-point lead.  But Columbia International hit a jumper with 12 seconds left to regain the lead, 44-43, heading into the final quarter.
 
With only 1:34 remaining, Houghton clung to a one-point lead, but a layup and a three-point play from Emma Cole put the Highlanders up by six, and a free throw from Kayla Camacho in the waning seconds sealed the game.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: #6 Houghton – 63 | #5 Columbia International – 56
Records: #6 Houghton: 18-11 | #5 Columbia International: 18-17 
Venue: Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center, Grace College | Attendance: N/A

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton's 18 victories are the most in season since 2009-10 when they finished 18-10.
 
>> Both Cole and Camacho wrapped up their inaugural season with the Highlanders with double-doubles.  Cole secured her third double-double of the season with a team-high 16 points, while also pulling down 10 rebounds and blocking three shots.  Camacho earned her first double-double of the season with 10 points and a season-high 14 rebounds. 
 
>> Crysta Lacrosse added nine points, four rebounds and four assists, while Malorie Eslick scored nine points on three three-pointers