ITHACA, N.Y.-- Unable to keep-up with the high shooting percentages of Ithaca College, the Men's Basketball team fell to the Bombers 89-74 in the conference match-up.

With the help of Johnathan Stowe (Toronto, ON, Canada, Don Mills Collegiate Institute) and Tyler McQuaid (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian Academy), Houghton found themselves neck and neck with Ithaca, trailing in the 11-10 point run.

The Bombers began to inch forward by matching 3 points to every Houghton's 2 points. With a 30-18 Ithaca lead, Houghton's Cody Terry (Alta Loma, CA, Taft) capitalized on a 3-point shot, in hopes of giving the Highlanders the momentum to minimize the gap.

Unfortunately this was not the case; with just over 3 minutes left in the first half, Ithaca managed to take their biggest lead yet--14 point, 41-27 lead. With the help of 4 free throws by Terry, Houghton reduced their trail to 10 points going into the second half.

After taking turns scoring for the first 5 minutes of the second half, the Bombers continued to maintain the lead.

Phil Pellegrino (Rochester, NY, Brighton) started to come alive for the Highlanders, scoring 18 points in just over 10 minutes. Unfortunately Pellegino's first basket of the second half did not put a spark in the Highlanders offense. Before things would get better, Houghton would first find themselves in a 22 point deficit.

Pellegrino then rose to the occasion by sinking three 3-point shots, nearly consecutively. Regardless of the Houghton beginning to regain the momentum, it was too late. Down by 14 points with 3:40 left in the game, the Highlanders were unable to outshoot Ithaca, losing 89-74. 

For Houghton's offense, Pellegrino led the way with 24 points, followed by Stowe with 15 points and McQuaid with 11 points. 

The Highlanders look forward to their next home game on Friday, January 23rd where they will play St. John Fisher at 8 p.m.