HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Only two days after committing only seven turnovers, the Houghton Highlanders uncharacteristically gave the ball away 17 times, falling to the Ithaca Bombers, 70-56.
 
Coming into tonight's game, the Bombers had averaged nearly 85 points per game.  And while the Highlanders were able to limit their opponents scoring power, particularly from the outside, they were outrebounded on the offensive end of the floor, giving the Bombers multiple opportunities to score.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 56 | Ithaca – 70
Records: Houghton: 7-8 (2-4 Empire 8) | Ithaca: 6-9 (2-4 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 136

Key Moments
>> Nine minutes into the game Phil Pellegrino hit a three-pointers to put Houghton up 15-12 before Ithaca back-to-back threes by Matt Flood sent the Bombers on a 16-2 run. 
 
With three minutes remaining in the half, Carl Holmes nailed a three to cut the Bombers lead to six, but the teams headed into the break with Ithaca up by seven.
 
>> Just over five minutes into the second half, Dylan Lambert and Johnathan Stowe teamed up for back-to-back slams to bring the Highlanders within five points.  The Bombers, however, quickly answered, not allowing the Houghton crowd to re-enter the game.
 
>> Houghton stayed within striking distance for several more minutes, but Ithaca leading scorer Marc Chasin soon took over, scoring 18 of his 22 points down the stretch.
 
Key Stats
>> The Bombers outrebounded the Highlanders on the offensive end, 11-7, including a 7-0 advantage in the first half.

>> Ithaca's bench also outscored the Houghton reserves, 27-15.

>> Lambert scored 24 points and dished out three assists to lead the Highlanders.
 
>> After playing only seven minutes in the first due to foul trouble, Stowe collected 10 rebounds, six rebounds and two monstrous blocks.
 
>> In addition to his point total, Chacin also led the Bombers in rebounds with eight, and assists with four.  Matt Flood also chipped in 15 points.

Coach's Corner
"We played hard; our effort was really good.  Hats-off to a well-coached and well-executing Ithaca team.
 
"We got sloppy with the ball early.  There were some unforced turnovers that didn't allow us to get going.  When we executed, though, we were really good.
 
"They had some key offensive rebounds that led to big points, and that just killed us.
 
"We had a great lift off the bench tonight, especially from Carl Holmes.  He played with great composure and kept us organized.
 
"Dylan [Lambert] was his usual self: calm and deadly.  He's a silent assassin. 
 
"Overall, I was really pleased with our effort.  I'm already excited to bounce back and go on the road Saturday." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
 Next Time Out
The Highlanders return to action on Saturday when they travel Utica College to take on the Pioneers at 4:00 p.m.