GROVE CITY, PA—Despite a 30-point effort from Dylan Lambert the Houghton Highlanders dropped a non-conference men's basketball matchup at Grove City on Tuesday, 83-53.
 
After a seesaw first-half, the Wolverines hit a layup at the buzzer to enter the break up by only two points.
 
The second half began much the same way, and the Highlanders trailed by only one three-and-a-half minutes after play resumed.  Over the next eight minutes, however, the Wolverines would outscore the Highlanders, 22-6, to grab a 17 point lead.
 
From that point on, Houghton would come no closer than 13 points as Grove City shot the lights out in College Arena, dominating the second half to take the game.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 53  | Grove City – 83
Records: Houghton: 3-4 | Grove City:  
Venue: Grove City College Arena, Grove City, PA | Attendance: 350

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Wolverines shot 59.2% (16-of-27) from the field in the second half, including a red-hot 6-of-8 from downtown and 9-of-10 from the line.
 
>> Grove City out-rebounded Houghton 41-to-24.
 
>> The Wolverines leading scorer, Isaac Williams, had only 14 points, but four different Grove City players scored in double-digits and 13 different players found their way into the scorer's column.
 
>> Lambert finished his night 13-of-21 from the floor, but—an 82% free-throw shooter entering tonight's game—shot an uncharacteristically poor 4-for-9 from the line.  He has scored less than 20 points in only one of the Highlanders seven games so far this season.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Hats-off to Grove City for shooting the ball so well tonight.  Our plan was to 'muck it up' in the paint and protect the blocks and elbows.  They are a paint-scoring team. 
 
"We actually executed our defensive game plan pretty well.  They just flat out made shots that we were okay with them taking.
 
"We executed well offensively, especially in the first half.  We just struggled to find the hole in the second half. 
 
"The difference in the game was rebounding.  We can't get out-rebounded by 17 and expect to win. 
 
"We will stay buoyant.  Looking forward to getting better tomorrow." – Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
Heading into their final game before final exams and Christmas break the Highlanders will stay on the road, travelling to Delhi, New York to take on the SUNY Delhi Mustangs at 3:00 p.m.