HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Dylan Lambert provided the offensive firepower and Johnathan Stowe keyed the defensive as Houghton outscored visiting Wells, 50-38 in the second half to advance to 2-0 on the season.

Lambert scored 18 of his career-best 28 points in the final 20 minutes and Stowe collected 14 points, 14 rebounds (12 of which came in the second half), seven assists, three blocks and two steals.
 
This is the first time since 2010-11 that the Highlanders have opened their season with two consecutive wins.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 85 | Wells – 75
Records: Houghton: 2-0 | Wells: 1-1
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton, NY | Attendance: 275

Key Moments
>> With 2:38 to play in the first half, Rich Ross completed a three point play to put the Express up by six, 35-29.  But a pair of free-throws by Johnathan Stowe, a jumper by Lambert and a layup by Stowe tied the game before Wells pulled ahead by two in the final seconds.
 
>> Houghton captured the lead early in the second half, but Wells kept pace.  But with 12 minutes to play, Lambert started a 9-0 Highlanders run into the eighth minute. 
 
After trailing by as many as 13, Chris Courtney cut the Highlanders lead to seven with only two minutes remaining.  Clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch, however, preserved the Highlanders victory.
 
Key Stats
>> The Highlanders turned a dominating rebounding performance in the second half, pulling down 31 boards, while the Express grabbed only 13. 
>> While both teams sank six shots from the line in the first half, Houghton outpaced the Express from the charity stripe in the second half, knocking down 24 of 36, while Wells converted 11 of 19.
>> Lambert went 10 of 20 from the floor and six for six from the line.  He also grabbed 11 rebounds.
>> Phil Pellegrino and Mike Clark added 15 and 11 points apiece for Houghton, respectively.
>> Courtney led the Express with 25 points and four assists.

Coach's Corner
"This was a really good team win for us.  We told the guys in the locker room at the half that if we win the rebounding battle that we'd win the game, and that's exactly what happened.  [Johnathan] Stowe was an absolute beast on the boards.
 
"Defensively, we shut down the gaps, and offensively we found each other; we had each other's backs.  We really found some team harmony tonight." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
Next Time Out
Houghton travels to Hilbert College to take on the Hawks at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22.  Hilbert clipped the Highlanders last season, 94-91.  The Hawks have won both contests between the two teams over the past three years.