ALFRED, NY— A huge fourth quarter effort by the Alfred University Saxons propelled them to victory over the visiting Houghton University Highlanders on Tuesday evening, 60-45.
 
After the Highlanders outscored the Saxons by slim margins in each of the first two quarters, taking a 27-24 lead into the half, Alfred tied the game, 36-36, at the end of the third.
 
With only ten minutes to play, the Saxons sprinted out of the gate, scoring 10 straight points and reeling off a 19-3 run over the first 8:30 to put the game out of reach.
 
While the Saxons hit only five field goals in the final quarter, they sank 13-of-17 from the free throw line, while the Highlanders made only 1-of-2 shots from the charity stripe during the same time frame.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 45 | Alfred – 60
Records: Houghton: 18-3 (9-3 Empire 8) | Alfred: 8-12 (4-8 Empire 8)
Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred University| Attendance: 347

NOTABLE STATS
>> Alfred converted 16-of-22 shots from the line for the game, while Houghton went 5-for-8.  The Saxons also shot 33 percent from the field, seven percentage points higher than the Highlanders.
 
>> Crysta LaCrosse knocked down 7-of-15 from the floor, good for a team-high 17 points, while adding eight rebounds and three steals.
 
>> Kayla Camacho scored 10 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while Tabitha DeVries added nine points and seven rebounds.
 
>> Leah Harkenrider and Grace Rittenhouse each scored 14 points and dished out four assists apiece for the Saxons, while Rittenhouse also pulled down nine boards.  Jaidyn Chest notched a double-double, collecting 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Thursday for a matchup with Empire-8 frontrunner St. John Fisher Cardinals at 5:30 p.m.