HOUGHTON, NY – Hartwick outscored host Houghton 22-6 in the third quarter to pull away for a 59-41 victory Friday in Empire 8 women's basketball. The victory improves the Hawks' record to 13-7 overall and 9-2 in the conference. Houghton falls to 9-10 and 3-7.
           
Caitlin Corbett (Altamont, NY/Guilderland) led three players in double figures with a game-high 21 points. Sarah Shaw (Franklin, MA/Franklin) contributed 12 points on four three-point field goals and Emily Stone (Granby, CT/Granby) chipped in 11.
           
The hosts led for much of the first quarter, opening up an advantage of five at one point before settling on an 18-16 lead after 10 minutes. The Hawks grabbed the lead for good with 5:09 left in the half on a three-pointer from Anna Hickey (Falmouth, ME/Falmouth), 23-21.
           
A Corbett three extended the Hartwick edge to eight with 2:35 left before a 6-3 Houghton run to close the half sent the Hawks into the locker room up 32-27.
           
An 11-0 run to begin the third would increase the margin to 16 points. Stone and Shaw each connected on three-pointers in the run. A layup from Corbett made it a 20-point game later and a Stone free throw pushed it to 21 (54-33) at the end of three quarters.
           
Both teams had trouble filling the cup in the final period as they combined for just 13 points. The Highlanders managed to trim the gap to 13 points but the Hawks scored the final five points while shutting out the hosts over the final six and a half minutes for the win.
           
Hartwick made 39.3% of its shots and knocked down nine three-pointers in the contest. The Highlanders were held to 31% shooting and they possessed a slim edge in rebounds, 35-33.
           
Stone, Shaw, and Corbett each chipped in two assists and two steals for the Hawks. Jacqui Foreman (Tolland, CT/Tolland) tied for a game-high with eight boards and she added four assists. Shaw also pulled down eight rebounds.
           
Courtney Cirillo (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) scored seven points, recorded four rebounds, and tied for a game-high with four steals. Carly Johnson (Greenville, NY/Greenville Central) contributed three points, four rebounds, and four assists.
           
The Highlanders did not have a player scoring in double digits. Elle Reed and Madison Detweiler each scored eight points.
           
The Hawks return to action tomorrow at Alfred University beginning at 2 p.m.