BRADFORD, Pa. – Houghton men's basketball scored the final nine points of regulation to force overtime and then outscored the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, 20-11, in the extra session to grab at 90-81 win Wednesday. It was the team's fourth win of the season.
 
Game Vitals:
>Score:  Houghton 90   |   Pitt-Brad 81
>Records:  Houghton 4-1   |   Pitt-Brad 1-3
>Venue: KOA Arena, Bradford, N.Y. 

The Analysis:
    >The Panthers jumped out to a 16-4 lead in the game's first seven minutes and pushed the advantage to 26-11 with just under nine minutes to go in the first half.
    >Pitt-Brad took a 44-29 lead into the break after shooting 62 percent from the floor. Houghton shot just 36 percent in the first half.
    >After giving up the first bucket of the second half, the Highlanders used an 18-4 run to trim the deficit to three (50-47).
    >The Panthers regained a 9-point edge with two minutes remaining, but the Highlanders scored the final nine points of regulation to the send the game to OT tied at 70. Tyler McQuaid (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian Academy) converted a three-point play and Phil Pellegrino (Rochester, NY, Alfred University) hit back-to-back threes, tying the score with 26 seconds left.
    >Back-to-back threes gave Houghton a six-point lead early in overtime. The lead grew to as many as 11 after two Pellegrino free throws with 11 seconds to go.
    >The Highlanders shot 52 percent from the field in the second half and 64 percent in OT. Pitt-Brad shot just 35 percent from the floor in the second half. 
    >Rebounds were even at 40 apiece. The Highlanders turned the ball over just 11 times on the night, and just three times after halftime.
    >It took an extra five minutes tonight, but Houghton has exceeded 90 points in all five of its contests this season.

Clutch Performers:
The Highlanders:
    >Pellegrino scored all of his career-high 27 points after halftime, including nine in OT. He hit 8-of-14 from the field, 4-of-9 from three and 7-of-7 from the line.
    >Brandon Camacho (Dundee, NY, Dundee High School) scored eight points in overtime to finish with 20 on the night
    >McQuaid had a double-double with 16 points and 10 boards.
    >Johnathan Stowe (Toronto, ON, Canada, Don Mills Collegiate Institute) contributed 14 rebounds and eight points.

The Panthers:
    >Evan Greening: 23 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks
    >Eric Matheson: 16 points, seven assists

Coach's Corner:
We came out of gates a little sluggish against a very aggressive Pitt-Brad team, but this group of guys dug deep late to come up with big plays when we needed them. Phil was huge down the stretch, and though our defense struggled with their talented guards, we got stops when we needed them. I couldn't be more proud of how this team has handled adversity and battled through tough times as we continue to learn and improve. -- Highlander Head Coach Drew Hannan

Next Time Out:
Houghton returns home to host SUNY Canton on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 4 p.m.