HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders overcame a sluggish first half with a stellar second, finishing off the visiting Elmira Soaring Eagles, 62-47.
 
The Highlanders and Soaring Eagles combined to score only 17 points in the first quarter (10-7, Houghton) and fared little better in the second, as the Highlanders took a mere, 22-20, lead into the half.
 
It didn't take long for the Highlanders to reassert themselves in the second half, quickly reeling off nine straight points in the first two minutes of play to take an 11-point lead. 
 
The Highlanders would go on to hit 13-of-25 (52 percent) second half shots, including 5-of-11 (55 percent) from beyond the three-point line, as they outpaced the Soaring Eagles, 40-27, over the final 20 minutes.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 62 | Elmira – 47
Records: Houghton: 11-1 (2-1 Empire 8) | Elmira: 7-5 (1-2 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center at Houghton University | Attendance: 227

NOTABLE STATS
>> Kayla Camacho scored a game-high 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.  She currently leads the team in scoring (17.6 ppg) and now has 888 career points.
 
>> Tabitha DeVries posted 12 points and seven rebounds, and Crysta LaCrosse collected 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.
 
>> Karina Crouse knocked down 5-of-6 shots, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, for a career-best 12 points. 
 
>> Nevaeh Winston led the Soaring Eagles with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Amaroniah Dixon chipped in 11 points, nine boards, three assists and five steals.
 
>> The Highlanders limited Elmira to only 26.7 percent shooting on the night.  Only four of the 12 teams that Houghton has faced this season have shot above 30 percent, and only one team has shot 40 percent (Emerson).
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Today was a gritty win against a tough Elmira team.  We stayed very composed throughout the game.
 
"There's no lack of fight in this group.  I love how much we come together in tougher games.  We stayed relaxed and executed very well in tough times of the game. 
 
"We have some needed rest this weekend then get to ramp up for St. John Fisher on Tuesday." – Head Coach Phil Pellegrino.
  
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Rochester on Tuesday, January 14 for another Empire 8 tilt with the St. John Fisher Cardinals at 5:30 p.m.