HOUGHTON, N.Y.— The Houghton Men's Basketball team played in a heated match tonight against the Panthers of Pitt-Bradford. While going into the final minute tied, 6 key Highlander free throws ensured the 85-82 victory.

The first half opened with the Highlanders taking an early 11-7 which was sparked by a dunk from Johnathan Stowe (Toronto, ON, Canada, Don Mills Collegiate Institute). With the help of a few 3-pointers and successful attempts at the free throw line, Houghton led the 23-19 run. The Highlanders did not put a stunt in the Panther's soon to follow 14-point consecutive rally—giving Pitt-Bradford a 10 point lead. The two teams went back and forth in scoring opportunities, the Panthers still leading.

It wasn't until there were 3 minutes left in the first half when the Highlanders began to rebuttal. Scoring 9 consecutive points, capped by a 3-pointer by Phil Pellegrino (Rochester, NY, Alfred University), helped to reduce the trail to only a 2 point deficit. The two teams went into the second half with a 43-41 Panther lead.

In the first half Houghton shot 80% at the free throw line, while outshooting the Panthers by 7% in total field goals.

Nearly 3 minutes into the second half, the Highlanders capitalized on 4 consecutive scoring opportunities giving them an 8 point lead. Pitt-Bradford answered back quickly with an assembly of baskets of their own, tying Houghton 56-56. While taking turns earning a cluster of points, the two teams found themselves tied 5 more times before the conclusion of the game. 

When tied 77-77 with 1:28 remaining in the game, Tyler McQuaid (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian Academy) would go on to sink 2 crucial free throws to give the Highlanders the lead. Just 4 seconds later, the Panthers would answer back by a layup of their own.

Fouled by Pitt-Bradford with 19 seconds left in the game, McQuaid would again find himself at the free throw line. To no surprise, McQuaid would capitalize on both free throws resuming Houghton's 2 point lead.

While the Panthers kept fouling, the Highlanders kept scoring. By the effort of Jordan Scott (Burlington, ON, Canada, Notre Dame Secondary), 2 additional free throws were credited for. With 2 seconds remaining in the game, Pitt-Brad kept the Highlanders on their heels by scoring a 3-pointer; 83-82 Highlander lead. The 1 point Highlander lead forced the Panthers to foul. Antonio Deadmon (Dallas, TX, Texas Southern) found himself at the line and confirmed the win by sinking both free throws.

Pellegrino and McQuaid led the way offensively for the Highlanders with 17 points each. Stowe followed with 14 points of his own. Houghton shot 71.9% at the free throw line, while outlasting Pitt-Bradford in nearly every statistical category.

The Highlanders are back in action on Saturday, December 6^th where they play away at SUNY Canton with a start time of 6:00 p.m.