HOUGHTON, NY—Dylan Lambert scored 29 points and Carl Holmes came within an assist from notching a double-double (12 points, nine assists) as the Houghton Highlanders moved to 3-1 with a defeat of the Hilbert Hawks, 71-65.
 
After Houghton took an 11 point lead into the intermission, Hilbert began to close the gap in the second half.  Jalen Smith scored eight straight points for the Hawks, who drew to within five with 14:22 to play.
 
Houghton built another double-digit lead but the Hawks pulled to within three before Holmes nailed a crucial three-pointer at the 2:45 mark.
 
Key layups by Jordan Holmes and Lambert down the stretch, coupled with a pair of clutch defensive stops, sealed the game for the Highlanders.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 71 | Hilbert – 65
Records: Houghton: 3-1 | Hilbert: 1-2
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 142

NOTABLE STATS
>> Lambert eclipsed the 20-point mark for the second time in four games this season.  He also added seven rebounds and three assists.
>> Houghton shot an impressive 64 percent from the floor (16-for-25) in the first half, and nailed 8-of-16 three-point attempts for the game.
>> The Hawks made only 3-of-20 three-point attempts and shot only 41 percent from the floor and 57 percent from the line.
>> Darius Brown posted a career-high 15 points for Houghton, while Jordan Holmes chipped in 11. 
>> Smith scored 19 points to lead the Hawks, and David Arlaud added 11 points.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"This was a good team win heading into Thanksgiving break."
 
"We felt a little uneasy at the half, even though we were up by 11, because we really didn't execute well.  Sometimes that can be a bit of 'fools' gold' when you don't execute but make shots.
 
"That being said, we continued to share the game and made plays for each other—19 assists on 28 field goals is pretty efficient.

"Hilbert did a good job of exposing our poor weak-side rotations, but we responded well.  We need to clean that up moving forward.
 
"Carl was a sheepdog out there keeping everyone on the same page.  Dylan made some big plays when we needed them.  He was clutch in the tough moments.
 
"Tony did all the little things that no one notices.  He was huge on the defensive boards.  Darius utilized his athleticism against their bigs.  He was hard to guard tonight.
 
"We had a good crowd at Nielsen tonight.  It's always great to have our fans supporting the guys." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will take the next eight days off to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday before returning to the Nielsen Center on Wednesday, November 29 to take on Villa Maria College in the opener of a men's/women's doubleheader at 6:00 p.m.