AURORA, NY—Dylan Lambert scored the go-ahead basket with 20 seconds remaining in overtime as the Houghton Highlanders pulled out a gutsy win over the Wells Express on opening night, 71-70.
 
Lambert finished the night with a game-high 34 points on 13-of-24 from the field, and scored six of the Highlanders eight points in overtime.
 
Houghton led by as many 10 points with less than 15 minutes to play, but the Express battled back, tying the game at the 5:28 mark and taking the lead moments later.
 
Lambert sank a pair of free throws with 27 seconds remaining in regulation to put Houghton up by three, but Rich Ross drilled a shot from beyond the arch to send the game into overtime.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 71 | Wells – 70 (OT) 
Records: Houghton: 1-0 | Wells: 0-1
Venue: Farenthold Athletic Wing, Wells College | Attendance: 302

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton outshot the Express (44% to 37%) but the difference came beyond the arch, as the Highlanders shot 50% (9-18) while Wells sank only 25% (7-28).
>> The Highlanders held a 22-to-13 advantage in assists.
>> Carl Holmes finished the game with 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Highlanders.
>> Darius Brown collected 10 rebounds, six points and three assists.
>> Ross and fellow Express guard Macho DeJesus contributed the lion's share of the scoring for Wells, pouring in 27 and 20 points apiece, respectively, and combining for 67 percent of their team's points.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We knew it wasn't going to be easy.  We watched the Omaha Beach invasion scene from Saving Private Ryan to get a better grasp of being grateful for our military and talked about "Clearing the Beach" all week. 
 
"We knew things weren't going to go our way at times.  We knew they would go on a run.  But more importantly, we knew we had to stay the course and stay connected no matter what the circumstance.
 
"I'm proud of our guys for staying connected and "Clearing the Beach", even when things weren't going our way. 
 
"We had gutsy performances by Dylan [Lambert], Carl [Holmes] and Darius.  They just do their jobs and everyone else follows. 
 
"We have a lot to work on, and we can't wait to get back in the lab tomorrow." – Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders stay on the road this weekend, travelling to Meadville, Pennsylvania, where they will challenge the host Allegheny College Gators on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and the Stevenson Mustangs on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.