ONEONTA, N.Y. – After knocking off the top two ranked teams in the Empire 8 in back-to-back games, the Houghton Highlanders entered Wednesday night's game against the Hartwick Hawks riding momentum and looking to sure up the second seed in the conference tournament.
 
The Hawks had other ideas, taking down the Highlanders in a defensive struggle, 47-42.
 
After digging themselves an early 12-4 hole at the end of the first quarter, the Highlanders stormed back to tie the game, 19-19, at the half.
 
The Hawks would again take a commanding lead in the third, thanks in large part to hitting 11-of-14 shots from the free throw line.
 
Hartwick promptly nailed a three to start the final quarter, expanding their lead to 12 points, 40-28.  But over the next eight minutes of play the Highlanders responded, reeling off a 12-0 run, capped by a Carlee Miller free throw, which tied the game, 40-40.
 
After the Hawks hit 5-of-6 from the line to pull ahead by five points, Tabitha DeVries hit a pair of her own, pulling Houghton back within three points with 33 second left on the clock.  That, however, would be as close as the Highlanders would get, as the Hawks drained two more free throws down the stretch, while Houghton could not convert.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 42 | Hartwick – 47
Records: Houghton: 10-4 (11-4 Empire 8) | Hartwick: 12-13 (9-7 Empire 8)
Venue: Lambros Arena, Hartwick College | Attendance: 111

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton turned the ball over 24 times on the night, their highest total of the season and only the second time this year they have committed 20 or more turnovers.  The Highlanders also hit only 29 percent of their shots from the floor, only the fourth time this season they have converted less than 30 percent of their shots.
 
>> Hartwick actually made fewer field goals (10) and converted a lower percentage of their shots (23 percent) than the Highlanders, but the Hawks sank 24-of-35 shots from the charity stripe, which provided the additional points necessary to secure the win.
 
>> Crysta LaCrosse, Kayla Camacho and Emma Cole scored 10 points apiece, respectively, in the loss. 
 
>> The Houghton loss eliminates them from second place contention, although they can fall no farther than third place in the Empire 8 standings.  Hartwick remains the number four seed.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Albany on Saturday, when they will wrap up the regular season against the Russell Sage Colleges Gators at 2:00 p.m.