HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders moved to 6-0 on the season, defeating the visiting Buffalo State Bengals, 76-35.
 
Abby Guiher drilled a three-pointer to open the game's scoring and the Highlanders never looked back, as they maintained a lead throughout the entire game.
 
By the half, Houghton led, 37-21, and the gap only continued to widen after the break.
 
The Highlanders converted over 46 percent of their shots from the field, and knocked down 10-of-30 (33 percent) from long distance.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 76 | Buffalo State – 35
Records: Houghton: 6-0 |Buffalo State: 1-3
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 125

NOTABLE STATS
>> This is the third straight season in which the Highlanders have won each of their first six games.  So far this season they are outscoring their opponents by an average of 36.2 points per game.
 
>> Houghton's bench outscored Buffalo State's, 29-2.
 
>> The Highlanders' defense limited the Bengals to only 22 percent shooting from the floor (12-for-55) and only 1-of-12 (eight percent) from beyond the arc.
 
>> Houghton knocked down 10-of-30 shots from three-point range.  They have converted at least 10 from that distance in each of their last four games, and are shooting 39 percent from beyond the arc during that span.
 
>> Tabitha DeVries scored a career-best 21 points, hitting 10-of-13 shots, and pulled down seven rebounds.  Anna Dening also posted a career-high with 15 points, converting 5-of-7 from the floor and 4-of-5 from three-point range.  Dening is currently shooting 46 percent from beyond the arc.
 
>> Crysta LaCrosse added eight points and posted season-highs in rebounds (10) and assists (eight).
 
>> Chloe Hanson and Adiya Jones led the Bengals with 12 and 10 points apiece, respectively.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"[This was a] great way to head into break.  I thought our group executed what we were trying to accomplish so well.  We were able to match Buffalo State's physicality all game, which was absolutely huge.
 
"Another game where our group had 20-plus assists is such a cool thing to see as a coach.  I'm so proud of how well the group plays for each other on a nightly basis.
 
"The way this group comes to prepare every day is very impressive in my eyes.  You can see [that] we are working to try to achieve something great.
 
"I'm excited that everyone gets some much-needed time off this break." – Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will not resume play until Wednesday, December 11, when they will return to the Nielsen Center to host the Fredonia State Blue Devils at 7:00 p.m.  The Highlanders defeated the Blue Devils last season, 60-42.