Women's Basketball | 1/20/2023 11:11:00 PM
HOUGHTON, NY – Emma Cole posted the first triple-double of the Houghton Highlanders' NCAA-era, guiding the purple-and-gold past the Utica Pioneers, 62-55, to give the Highlanders their 12th win of the season.
Cole came off the bench to provide a force in the paint, posting 19 points, 18 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. It is the first Empire 8 triple-double since Utica's Brigid Johndrow had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 90-82 win over SUNY Morrisville on Dec. 11, 2021.
After taking a six-point lead into the half, Houghton turned in their best quarter of the game in the third, outscoring the Pioneers, 20-13, for a 13-point lead with one quarter to play.
Utica battled back to within eight points with 3:13 to play, but Houghton continued to answer, as Carlee Miller scored a layup and a foul shot to return to the Highlanders' lead to double-digits.
The Pioneers would eventually sink a layup at the buzzer to pull within seven, but it would prove too little, too late, as the Highlanders picked up another much-needed conference victory.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 62 | Utica – 55
Records: Houghton: 12-4 (5-4 Empire 8) | Utica: 8-7 (3-5 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 135
NOTABLE STATS
>> All three of Cole's triple-double stats (points, rebounds, blocked shots) mark new career highs for the freshman forward. She has reached double-digit points six times this season, double-digit rebounds four times, and has blocked at least four shots in a game four times. Prior to this evening's victory, she had notched one double-double.
>> Kayla Camacho collected 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Highlanders. She has scored at least 14 points in each of her last four games. On her final basket, Camacho scored her 100
th point of the season.
>> After being held under 10 points for only the third time this season against Elmira, Carlee Miller scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Crysta Lacrosse added 10 points and five assists. Lacrosse has reached double-digit points in each of her last four games and eight times, total, this season.
COACH'S CORNER
"Fun win tonight! We continue to see growth and mental toughness from our group every outing.
"I'm not big into individual accolades, but Emma Cole deserves praise for her play tonight. She blossomed before our eyes tonight with a very impressive/needed triple-double.
"We are on short rest for tomorrow with another conference game. We'll recharge quick and come ready to go." – Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center tomorrow afternoon when they will host the Keuka Wolves at 2:00 p.m.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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