By: Houghton Athletics
Emie Taylor posted career-highs in points (21) and rebounds (20) as the Houghton Highlanders moved to 2-0 on the season, defeating the Alfred University Saxons (0-1) on Thursday night, 70-50.
After a slow offensive first quarter for both teams, Houghton clung to a slim, 9-6 advantage. With 1:11 left before the half, the Saxons led by one when Caitlyn Cybart completed a three-point play, then moments later drained three more from beyond the arc to put Houghton up, 24-19 at the break.
From that point on, Houghton would never relinquish the lead, outpacing the Saxons by six points in third, and nine points in fourth quarter.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 70 | Alfred – 52
Records: Houghton: 2-0 | Alfred: 0-1
Venue: James A. McLane P.E. Center, Alfred University| Attendance: 0
NOTABLE STATS
>> Taylor collected her second double-double in as many games. Her 21 points surpasses her previous best of 20 points, which she scored on Tuesday night against Elmira, and her 20 rebounds are five more than her previous high, which she collected in last year's season-opener against Westminster College on Nov. 8. Taylor's rebound total is most individual rebounds since Maisie Pipher grabbed 20 boards against D'Youville College on January 26, 2016.
>> Caitlyn Cybart finished with 17 points, five rebounds and six assists. Her 17 points are tied for the second-highest single-game scoring effort of her career, three points behind her career-best 20 points against St. John Fisher College last January. Cybart previously scored 17 points in last season's season finale against… Alfred University.
>> Alex Steele posted her first career double-double, and did it the hard way, scoring 11 points and dishing out a career-high 10 assists.
>> After shooting only 25% from the floor in the first quarter and 26% in the first half, the Highlanders connected on 59% of their shots in the second half, including a scorching 69% in the final quarter.
>> The Saxons were led by Allison O'Toole, who scored 15 points on 7-of-10 from the field. Lyndsey McCoy added eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will wrap up their short season on Tuesday, when they travel to Elmira for a rematch with the Soaring Eagles at 6 p.m. Houghton won the first matchup between the two teams earlier this week, 81-39.