ROCHESTER, NY – An early deficit and an early run in the second half proved to be too much to overcome as the Nazareth University Women's Basketball team dropped a 63-52 decision to Houghton University Thursday night in the Empire 8 Tournament semifinal matchup in Kidera Gym.

Nazareth (22-4 overall) fell behind late in the first half as Houghton (23-4 overall) scored the final five points of the opening period to take a 17-12 lead after the first 15 minutes.

In the second quarter, the Highlanders hit a pair of 3-pointers in the opening minutes to extend the lead as sophomore Leah Fusilli and graduate student Olivia Dobrovosky scored baskets to keep Nazareth close.

A free throw by Dobrovosky later in the period cut the Houghton lead to a point at 23-22 but Houghton scored the next four points. Freshman Madalyn Kelly scored late in the quarter to trim the lead and Houghton took a 27-24 lead into the break.

In the second half, Houghton went on a 16-2 run in the early minutes of the third quarter to build a double-digit lead.

A pair of 3-pointers by Kelly and junior Madilann Johnson cut the lead to eight points at 41-33 before the end of the quarter.

Midway through the final quarter, Dobrovosky connected on four free throws to get Nazareth within five points at 51-46 but the Highlanders scored the next nine points as the Golden Flyers struggled shooting from the field and Houghton held on for the win.

Dodrovosky led Nazareth with 14 points, Johnson added 11 and Kelly chipped in 10 for Nazareth.