HOUGHTON, NY – In each of the past two seasons, the Houghton Highlanders' championship aspirations have ended at the hands of the St. John Fisher Cardinals. And earlier this year, the Cardinals stunned the Highlanders on their home court with a buzzer-beater.
 
Not this time.
 
After the Cardinals jumped out to an early 11-2 lead, Houghton stormed back, outscoring the Cardinals, 76-42 over the final 35 minutes for a 78-53 win.
 
Houghton rallied to end the first quarter with a 14-13 lead, then dominated the second, 25-10, and never let up, rolling their way into the semifinal round.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: #3 Houghton – 78 | #6 St. John Fisher – 53
Records: #3 Houghton: 21-5 | #6 St. John Fisher: 12-14
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center at Houghton University| Attendance: 472

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton forced 15 Fisher turnovers and held the Cardinals under 30 percent shooting, while giving the ball away only 10 times and hitting 43 percent of their shots. 
 
>> After going 0-for-5 from three-point range in the first quarter, and only 2-of-7 in the second, Houghton hit a scorching 7-of-13 bombs in the second half.
 
>> Tabitha DeVries led the Highlanders with 17 points (11 of which came in the second half) and six rebounds on 8-of-14 shooting.  She is currently only 35 points away from becoming the 18^th Highlander women's basketball player to score 1,000 career points.
 
>> Hannah Farley chipped in 15 points in 15 minutes of play, going 6-for-9 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line, while Karina Crouse and Teghan Trocki added 12 and 11 points apiece, respectively, and Emma Huedepohl dished out nine assists.
 
>> St. John Fisher hit 15-of-16 (93.8%) free throw attempts.
 
>> Presleigh Brunner led the Cardinals with 13 points and nine boards.
 
UP NEXT
Following a stunning upset of the #2 Brockport Golden Eagles, the Highlanders will host the #7 Elmira Soaring Eagles on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.