ALFRED, N.Y. – After taking a four-point lead into the halftime break, the Houghton Highlanders eventually fell to the host Alfred University Saxons, 50-57.
 
The Saxons built an eight point lead with just over three minutes remaining before the Highlanders made one final run.
 
With 1:46 left on the clock, Jordan Scott drained a three to bring Houghton within one.  After corralling a Saxon miss at the other end, the Highlanders could not convert to take the lead.  The Saxons scored on the ensuing possession and walked away with the win.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 50 | Alfred – 57
Records: Houghton: 7-11, 2-7 Empire 8 | Alfred: 7-10, 4-4 Empire 8
Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred University| Attendance: 183

Key Moments
>> Houghton opened up a nine-point lead with just under 12 minutes to play in the first half when Mike Clark nailed a three and Dylan Lambert drove the lane for two.
 
>> Alfred responded late in the half, trimming the lead and eventually taking the lead 5:30 to play.  Houghton, however, tied the score on a Samuel Ortega layup, before back-to-back layups by Johnathan Stowe and Ortega gave the Highlanders a four-point advantage at the break.
 
>> After Scott hit his three to pull the Highlanders within one with less than two minutes to play in the game, the Saxons missed a layup on the ensuing possession and Stowe pulled down another rebound.
 
The Highlanders had an open look from three, but the ball rimmed out and the Saxons corralled the possession before calling timeout to advance the ball. 
 
A layup by Sage Brown would give the hosts all the advantage they would need as time ran out on the Highlanders.
 
Key Stats
>> The Highlanders committed 15 turnovers, while the Saxons gave the ball away only eight times.  This discrepancy led a 12-4 Alfred advantage in points off turnovers, and 11 additional shots for the Saxons.
 
>> The Saxons shot only 37 percent from the field, and while Houghton shot 40 percent, they made only 2-of-16 shots from three-point range, and converted only 57 percent of their free throws.

>> Stowe turned in his ninth double-double of the season for the Highlanders, posting 14 points and 12 rebounds.
 
>> Lambert, despite being held to a season-low four points, found ways to contribute, pulling down eight rebounds and dishing out a team-high six assists.
 
>> John Nelson also collected nine boards, three assists and four points for Houghton.
 
>> Tyler Seelman scored a game-high 22 points for the Saxons.
 
Next Time Out
The Highlanders return to action next Friday, February 3, when they host the Hartwick Hawks at the Nielsen Center.  Tip-off time is slated for 8:00 p.m.