HOUGHTON, NY – What was expected to be a closely contested game did not disappoint, as the Nazareth Golden Flyers rallied down the stretch to hand the Houghton Highlanders their first loss of the season, 61-55. 
 
Sarina McDowell turned in a dominant performance for the Golden Flyers, scoring 22 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, and pulled down 12 rebounds.
 
The Highlanders jumped out to a commanding, 20-13 lead, in the first 10 minutes, but the Golden Flyers clawed back into contention, and a running layup by Katie Machlachlan at the buzzer sent Nazareth into the locker room with a 31-30 lead.
 
The Golden Flyers edged the Highlanders by a point, 11-10, in the third, before pulling away in the final 10 minutes, thanks to a 10-1 run over a four-minute stretch late in the quarter.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 55 | Nazareth – 61
Records: Houghton: 9-1 (0-1 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 8-3 (2-0 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center at Houghton University | Attendance: 105

NOTABLE STATS
>> While Houghton hit 39 percent of their shots from beyond the arc, they shot only 30 percent from the floor overall, a new season-low.
 
>> Kayla Camacho logged 14 points, nine rebounds and four steals, while Crysta LaCrosse collected 14 points and five assists.  Camacho now has 851 career points with 15 regular season games remaining.  LaCrosse reached double-digit points for the third time this season, and accumulated at least five assists for the ninth time.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this Friday, January 10, when they will host the Keuka Wolves at 5:30 p.m.