ALFRED, NY— The Houghton Highlanders turned in another dominant second half, pulling away from the Alfred Saxons to win their 20^th game of the season for the second in the past three years.
 
The Houghton win, coupled with a SUNY Geneseo loss to SUNY Brockport, secured the number-three seed for the Highlanders in the upcoming Empire 8 Championship Tournament.  The Highlanders have now qualified for the tournament in each of the past four seasons.
 
After taking a seven-point lead into the half, Houghton turned in a dominant third quarter, knocking down 61 percent of their shots, including 5-of-9 (56 percent) from beyond the arc, as they outpaced the Saxons by 10 points, stretching their lead to a 59-42 advantage.
 
The Highlanders continued to pull away in the fourth, leaving no doubt.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 78 | Alfred – 53
Records: Houghton: 20-5 (11-5 Empire 8) | Alfred: 11-14 (5-11 Empire 8)
Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred University| Attendance: 170

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Highlanders dominated the glass, outrebounding the Saxons, 48-to-28.
 
>> Crysta LaCrosse led the Houghton offense, scoring 17 points, the 18^th time this season she has crossed the double-digit mark.
 
Already the Houghton career-leader in assists (422), LaCrosse now has 1,173 career points, passing former teammate Kayla Camacho (2022-25) for ninth on the all-time scoring list.  She is now only eight points behind eighth-place holder Stacia Dagwell (1988-92) and 565 career rebounds. 
 
LaCrosse, who also ranks eighth all-time in steals, is also only nine rebounds away from becoming the only player to currently rank in Houghton's top-10 in points, assists, rebounds and steals.
 
>> Tabitha DeVries collected 14 points, four rebounds and four steals.  She currently has 948 points in her three-year career, only 52 points from becoming the 18^th Highlander women's basketball player to score 1,000 points.
 
>> Anna Dening sank all four three-point shots she attempted, registering 12 points, her second-highest total of the season.  Dening has reached double-digits five times this season and is shooting 33% from beyond the arc.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will host the sixth-seeded St. John Fisher Cardinals in the opening round of the Empire 8 Championship Tournament on Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m.