ALBANY, NY— After a neck-and-neck first half, the Houghton Highlanders pulled away from the Russell Sage Gators in the third quarter, picking up their 21^st win of the season, 60-49.
 
Houghton took a three-point lead into the half, but Sage's Layla Acosta hit a shot from beyond the arc on the Gator's opening second half possession to quickly tie the game.  The Highlanders, though, bounced back, peeling off an 11-2 run thanks to some tough defense, allowing for some breathing room for the first time in the game. 
 
Houghton would outpace the Gators in the third, 17-9, and led by as many as 19 points following a Kayla Camacho layup with less than five minutes remaining in the game.
 
While the Gators would make a run in the closing minutes, the Houghton lead would prove insurmountable.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 60 | Russell Sage – 49
Records: Houghton: 21-4 (12-4 Empire 8) | Russell Sage: 6-19 (4-12 Empire 8)
Venue: Kahl Gymnasium, Russell Sage Colleges| Attendance: 154

NOTABLE STATS
>> The win ties the Highlanders for the second-most wins in a season in program history (1992-93 and 1994-95), trailing only the 1998-99 team that went 24-6.
 
>> Today's win was the first time the Highlanders have defeated the Gators on their home court.
 
>> Crysta LaCrosse went 6-for-12 from the field, including 3-for-3 from long range, scoring a team-best 16 points, while collecting six rebounds and two steals.
 
>> Kayla Camacho added 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Highlanders.
 
>> Olivia Huneau and Acosta led the Gators with 18 and 14 points apiece, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Tuesday for a playoff rematch with the Elmira Soaring Eagles, who upset the Houghton women at home last season in the opening round of the Empire 8 conference tournament.