ALFRED, N.Y. – For the second consecutive game the Houghton Highlanders rallied in the second half only to fall short down the stretch, losing to the Alfred State Pioneers on the road, 56-52.
 
Houghton dug an early hole, shooting only 20 percent (5-of-25) in the first half, including 14 percent from deep and only 47 percent from the line. 
 
At the half the Highlanders trailed by eight; a lead the Pioneers would extend to 12 only minutes into the second half.
 
Houghton fought back, and with 8:30 remaining Dylan Lambert sank a pair of free throws to knot the score, 40-40.  Alfred State regained the lead moments later, and while the Highlanders stayed within earshot, the Pioneers remained in the driver's seat for the remainder of the contest.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton –52| Alfred State – 56
Records: Houghton: 3-3 | Alfred State: 4-2 
Venue: Orvis Activities Center, Alfred State College | Attendance: 235

NOTABLE STATS
>> The two teams combined for an unprecedented 53 fouls (27 for Alfred State, 26 for Houghton).  By way of comparison, the next highest single-game totals in Houghton games this season were 36 fouls on two occasions.
>> While Houghton shot rather abysmally from the floor, Alfred State did not fare much better.  The Pioneers hit 29.8% of their shots, including 13.6% from long range and only 57.6% from the line.
>> Lambert once again led the Highlanders, collecting 23 points and 11 rebounds.  He has led the team in scoring in five of their six contests this season.
>> Jordan Holmes corralled 10 boards for the Highlanders.
>> Alexshay Pearce scored 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds for the Pioneers.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"This was certainly not our best game.  We weren't too bad defensively, but we could not get anything going on offense.

"We had some great looks early and just didn't knock down the shots.  From then on we struggled to execute.

"We got some great minutes from our bench tonight.  Caleb Burdett brought great energy.  

"We have to get better, and we will.  We believe in our guys.  We have to iron out some details and get back on track." - Coach Corky McMullen

UP NEXT
Houghton stays on the road next week, heading to Pennsylvania for a matchup with the Grove City Wolverines on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.  Last season the Wolverines defeated the Highlanders, 77-83, at the Nielsen Center.