ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A furious comeback effort by the Houghton Highlanders fell short on Tuesday night, as the Nazareth Golden Flyers handed the Highlanders their first loss of the season, 73-65, in Houghton's Empire 8 opener.
 
Not having played a game since December 13, the Highlanders showed some rust in the opening quarter, giving up 23 points, as the Golden Flyers shot 50 percent from the floor while building a 23-15 advantage.
 
Houghton played Nazareth evenly throughout the second 10 minutes, but trailed by eight at the half.
 
While the Houghton offense still could not find a higher gear in the third quarter, the defense did, limiting the Golden Flyers to only 12 points, as the Highlanders pulled within two points heading into the final period.
 
In the fourth, Houghton grabbed an early lead on a three-point play by Crysta LaCrosse, but Nazareth fought back, eventually building a six-point lead with only 3:40 left to play.
 
A five-point run—all scored by Tabitha DeVries—put the Highlanders back up by one with just over a minute on the clock, but a layup and a three-point play of their own would be all the scoring the Golden Flyers would need down the stretch as the pulled away for the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 68 | Nazareth – 73
Records: Houghton: 8-1 (0-1 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 8-3 (2-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Kidera Gymnasium, Nazareth University | Attendance: 105

NOTABLE STATS
>> DeVries scored a game-high 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting, adding six rebounds, two blocked shots and three steals.
 
>> LaCrosse finished with her first double-double of the season, posting 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.  She now has 989 career points and 357 career assists, and currently ranks fourth place on the all-time Houghton women's basketball leader board in the latter category.  She trails third-place-holder, Alicia (Campbell) Mucher (1998-00, 01-03) by only two assists.
 
>> The Highlanders won the turnover battle (14-to-18), but the Golden Flyers shot over 10 percentage points higher from the field (47%-to-36%).
 
>> Kiara Anglin and Madalyn Kelly led Nazareth with 16 and 14 points apiece, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Friday, when they will host the Utica Pioneers at 5:30 p.m.