HOUGHTON, N.Y.— The Men's Basketball team proved to be stiff competition in tonight's game against the Hawks of Hartwick College. While Houghton maintained the lead the entire game, it wasn't until the last 7 minutes when the Hawks turned the odds in their favor, claiming the 73-67 victory.
The first 6 minutes of the half opened with Houghton leading the 13-8 run. The lead was soon enhanced by a 3-pointer, compliments of
Phil Pellegrino (Rochester, NY, Brighton), as well as two additional consecutive 3-pointers by
Jordan Scott (Burlington, ON, Canada, Notre Dame Secondary).
Soon after, the Highlanders found themselves leading the Hawks 26-15.
Chris Enlow (Panama, NY, Panama Central) would then come up big for Houghton, scoring 6 nearly consecutive Highlander points. Before the end of the half, Pellegrino would sink two additional 3-pointers, going 5-8 at the arc in the first half.
Houghton claimed a 9-point (41-32) cushion going into the second half of the game.
Hartwick began to gain ground on the Highlanders, minimizing the gap by leading a 15-9 run. Pellegrino's 3-point shot would suffice for a short period of time in maintaining Houghton's lead. The 53-47, 6 point lead began to deteriorate. A Hawks' 3-point shot tied the game 59-59 with just under 7 minutes remaining. Hartwick continued to 'chip away' and within the next few minutes another Hartwick 3-pointer would give Houghton a 7 point deficit.
Scott answered back with a 3-pointer of his own, followed by 3 Highlander free throws. Down 69-67 with 32 seconds remaining in the game, Houghton was forced to foul in hopes of regaining possession. The Hawks responded to those fouls by sinking 4 free throws. This would close out the game with a 73-67 Hartwick victory.
Pellegrino led the way for the Highlanders with an impressive 25 points while going 6-11 at the 3-point arc. Scott followed with 17 points while going 5-8 at the arc.
Houghton looks forward to their next game on Tuesday, February 3
rd where they will play away against Nazareth College at 8 p.m.
