HOUGHTON, NY – Some days the basket looks as big as a pond, as it must have for Houghton's Kayla Camacho as she sank 16-of-20 shots on the day, establishing a new NCAA-era program record with 38 points, as the Highlanders defeated the visiting Hartwick Hawks, 77-57.
 
Camacho caught fire early, draining 14 points in the first quarter as Houghton jumped out to an early 19-11 advantage in the first 10 minutes.
 
The Hawks battled back in the second quarter, pulling with two points with less than three minutes to play before the half.  But a three and a layup by Camacho, followed by a Hartwick basket, separated the teams by five, 34-29, at the break.
 
Houghton lit up the scoreboard in the third with 26 total points, and continued to separate in the final 10 minutes, thanks to 14 second-half points apiece from Camacho and Tabitha DeVries, and another well-rounded defensive and scoring effort.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 77 | Hartwick – 57
Records: Houghton: 13-0 (4-0 Empire 8) | Hartwick: 3-8 (1-3 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 157

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Highlanders forced 24 turnovers, 16 by steal, generating 28 points.  Houghton gave the ball away only 16 times.
 
>> Camacho surpassed her previous career-high of 29 points, which she accomplished on February 10, 2023 against Russell Sage, becoming the first Highlander to surpass 30 points in a game since Kristen Moose scored 35 against Utica on February 22, 2014. The point total was second most in E8 history behind Melissa Hartman of St. John Fisher and Jadyn Abrams of Nazareth who sit atop the list with 42 points. Camacho's 16 field goals tied the E8 record for most in a game.

The Houghton program record for points scored is 43 by Carolyn Ort.

Perhaps more importantly, though, she passed her older brother Brandon Camacho's ('16) single-game best of 31 points, set on February 6, 2015 against Ithaca College.
 
In addition to her 38 points, Camacho also collected seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.  She currently leads the Highlanders with 14.5 points per game.
 
>> DeVries finished with 17 points, knocking down 8-of-11 shots, while collecting five boards and three assists. 
 
>> Crysta LaCrosse picked up five points, six rebounds and seven assists, while Trinity Copeland added five points, six rebounds, six steals and three assists.
 
>> Bree Fargnoli led the Hawks with 19 points, hitting 6-of-12 from the field.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"That win was a complete team effort on both ends of the floor.  I'm so proud of how our group keeps getting closer together every day.  It's truly a fun group to coach.
 
"That was a talented and well-coached Hartwick team.  They played hard and made some tough shots today.
 
"I'm excited for our opportunities next week against a couple very tough opponents.  Every game in conference is going to be a battle." – Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders hit the road on Tuesday, January 9, when they travel to Elmira College to take on the Soaring Eagles at 5:30 p.m.