BUFFALO, N.Y. -- D'Youville College outscored Houghton 11-2 over the last three minutes to erase a seven-point deficit and grabbed an 81-79 win in men's basketball action on Tuesday.

Houghton had trailed by seven (44-37) at the half, but battled back to pull ahead by 10 (67-57) midway through the second half. The Spartans scored eight-straight to trim their deficit to two and closed to within one with just under nine minutes remaining.

Houghton's lead bounced between three and seven points over the next five minutes. With the score at 77-70 in favor of the Highlanders, the Spartans mounted one final comeback. A three pointer was followed by a two free throws by Johnathan Stowe (Toronto, ON, Canada, Don Mills Collegiate Institute) to make the margin 79-73 with 3:05 left, but that would be the final time Houghton would score. The hosts scored the final eight points of the contest to pull out the win.

Phil Pellegrino (Rochester, NY, Alfred University) and Tyler McQuaid (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian Academy) shared high-scoring honors for the Highlanders with 17 points each. Brennen Campbell (Perry, NY, Perry Central) added 10 points and six assists.

Houghton (4-4) is back in action on Friday when they travel to take on Hartwick College in the Empire 8 opener.