HOUGHTON, NY— Down by 16 points with only 2:20 remaining in the game, the Houghton Highlanders staged a dramatic comeback, pulling within four points with 17 seconds left on the clock, before falling to the Villa Maria Vikings.
 
Dylan Lambert and Carl Holmes combined to score 15 of the Highlanders 17 points down the stretch.  Lambert drained a clutch three pointer and moments later Holmes picked his opponent's pocket and sank the layup to draw within four.
 
Following a missed Houghton free throw, Villa Maria converted a layup and the Highlanders could not answer.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 73 | Villa Maria – 79
Records: Houghton: 3-2 | Villa Maria: 7-1
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 210

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton outscored the Vikings over the final 2:20, 17-7.
>> The Highlanders committed a season-high 21 turnovers and shot only 41.5% from the field.
>> Lambert finished his night with 28 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
>> Holmes totaled 16 points, including four three-pointers, six rebounds and three assists.
>> Four Vikings reached double-digit point totals, including DeJaun Owens, who led the team with 23 points.  Dominic Douglas and Lonnie Taylor each registered double-doubles, each racking up double-digit points and rebounds.
 
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Give credit to Villa Maria and Coach Silveri; they are a talented group and play with good energy.
 
"We did a poor job in transition defense, which led to momentum for them.  Their zone had us on our heels offensively, and when we had opportunities we missed some good looks.
 
"I'm proud of our guys for scratching and clawing our way back in [the game] down the stretch.  I'm excited to get better in practice tomorrow and toss it up again on Friday night." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to the other side of the county on Friday where they will match up against Alfred State College at 7:30 p.m.  Houghton won last year's contest at the Nielsen Center, 85-74.