ALFRED, N.Y. – The Houghton Highlanders overcame an early second half deficit to win their third straight Empire 8 conference matchup over rival Alfred University, 93-79.
 
The Saxons started to separate early, building a 10-point lead less than nine minutes into the contest and leading by nine with less than five minutes to go in the half.
 
After a three-point play by Brandon Camacho (Dundee, NY, Dundee High School), Phil Pellegrino (Rochester, NY, Alfred University) nailed a long-range three and the Highlanders gained some momentum. 
 
The two teams exchanged baskets and a free throw put AU up by four, but Antonio Deadmon (Dallas, TX, Texas Southern) sank a layup just before the buzzer to pull the Highlanders within two heading into the break, 41-43.
 
In the second half the Saxons jumped out to a quick lead 45-49, but the Highlanders answered with a 17-4 run, giving them a nine-point lead.  Houghton would extend that lead to as many as 15 before AU began to make a run.
 
In the final minutes a three-pointer and a steal gave the Saxons the ball down by only seven, but three consecutive offensive fouls and a technical, gave the Highlanders the opportunity to pull away.
 
Houghton converted 7-of-8 foul shots in the final 53 seconds to complete the victory.
 
The win is the third straight for the Highlanders, a first for the team since joining the Empire 8.
 
Game Vitals:
      >Score:  Houghton College - 93  |   Alfred University - 79
      >Records:  Houghton College: 8-8 (3-5 Empire 8)   |  Alfred University: 7-10 (3-5 Empire 8)
      >Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred, NY  |   Attendance: 289
 
Clutch Performances:
The Highlanders:
      >Camacho scored 15 points, 12 of which came in the second half, and dished out six assists.
      >Dylan Lambert (Amherst, NY, Williamsville North) added 14 points and pulled down five rebounds.
 
The Saxons:
      >Tyler Seelman turned in a game-high 27 points, knocking down four three-pointers and collecting four steals and four assists
       
Stat Analysis:
      >Nine Highlanders scored at least seven points apiece and five scored in double-digits.
      >Houghton scored 16 second-chance points, while the Saxons managed only four.
      >Alfred turned in a stellar first half, shooting 58 percent (18-of-31) from the floor but managed only 39 percent (13-of-33) in the second half.
      >After very good first half shooting (51.6 percent), the Highlanders turned in their best shooting half of the season in the second frame, knocking down 14-of-24 shots (58.3 percent), including 4-of-7 from beyond the three-point arch.
      >Houghton scored 25 points from the foul line, including 20 in the second half.  Alfred scored 11 for the game.
 
Next Time Out:
The Highlanders play their first conference rematch of the season when they host the Nazareth College Golden Flyers at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  The Golden Flyers won the first matchup on January 12, 72-86, in Rochester.