Women's Basketball | 2/8/2024 10:59:00 PM
HOUGHTON, NY— Kayla Camacho and Crysta LaCrosse combined for 39 points and nine assists as the Houghton Highlanders won their NCAA-era program-best 19th victory by knocking off the Empire 8 frontrunning St. John Fisher Cardinals, 65-58, ending the Cardinals 45-game Empire 8 conference winning streak, dating back to Jan. 8, 2022.
After a rough first quarter that saw the Cardinals jump out to an 18-11 advantage, the Highlanders stormed back with a vengeance, shutting down the Fisher offense as they outscored the Cardinals over the second 10-minutes, 19-4, taking a 30-22 lead into the halftime break.
The Highlanders led by as many as 16 points late in the third quarter and eventually led 48-39. after 30 minutes of play. The Cardinals were not done. After Trinity Copeland hit a layup on the Highlanders opening possession, extending the lead to 11 points, the Cardinals reeled off a 10-0 run over a three-plus minute stretch, pulling within a single point with just over six minutes to play.
Houghton collected themselves, and free throws by Kayla Camacho and Emma Cole, followed by a Cole layup gave the Highlanders some breathing room. Again, the Cardinals came back, pulling to within two points, 58-56, on a Claire Kruzska three-point play.
Camacho quickly answered with a layup, and the Highlanders made multiple key defensive stops. The teams traded points down the stretch, but Fisher would pull no closer as the Highlanders closed out the win.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 65 |St. John Fisher – 58
Records: Houghton: 19-3 (10-3 Empire 8) | St. John Fisher: 21-3 (14-1 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 173
NOTABLE STATS
>> The last time St. John Fisher lost an Empire 8 matchup was January 8, 2022, when they were defeated by Hartwick, 65-56. The last time Houghton defeated St. John Fisher was on January 30, 2020, 74-73.
>> Camacho finished with 21 points and four assists, and did not commit a single turnover. She has scored at least 20 points in a game five times this season.
>> LaCrosse collected 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, while only turning the ball over once. She has scored in double-digits on 12 occasions this year, and registered at least five assists eight times.
>> Trinity Copeland pulled down a team-high 13 rebounds and dished out six assists, while Cole added nine points and five rebounds.
>> Fisher's Joleen Lusk posted 18 points and 15 rebounds for her 10
th double-double of the season.
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COACH'S CORNER
"Tonight's win was a testament to how mentally tough and competitive this group has become. After a tough performance on Tuesday night, I thought we had our most competitive practice this year yesterday and it showed tonight.
"Even after a slow start, this group never gave up or thought they were out of the game. They kept diving more and more into the little things of the game to help chip away.
"I'm really proud of the complete team effort. Everyone was needed and performed tonight. I'm very proud to be their coach. It's a special group to be around every day.
"I'm excited to come back tomorrow to prepare for a very talented [Nazareth] team on Saturday." –Head Coach Phil Pellegrino
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Saturday, when they will host the Nazareth University Golden Flyers at 2 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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