ELMIRA, N.Y. – Dylan Lambert took over the second half, scoring 20 of his 25 points in the final 20 minutes as the Houghton Highlanders defeated the Elmira Soaring Eagles for the second time this season, 70-64.
 
With the game knotted at 47-47 with nine minutes to play, Houghton capitalized on a 7-0 run to give them a sizable lead that they would not relinquish.
 
While the Soaring Eagles would come within four points twice in the remaining minutes, clutch free-throw shooting by Lambert and Phil Pellegrino sealed the game for the Highlanders.
 
Game Vitals
Score: Houghton – 70 | Elmira – 64
Records: Houghton: 8-12 (3-8 Empire 8) | Elmira: 3-17 (1-10 Empire 8)
Venue: Speidel Gymnasium, Elmira College | Attendance: 277

Key Moments
>> After Houghton tied the game at 26 on a Phil Pellegrino free throw, Elmira's Hayden Harkins drilled a three-pointer to give the Soaring Eagles the lead with just over 30 seconds to play before the end of the first half.
 
With five seconds left, Pellegrino drove the lane, picked up the foul and sank both free throws to send the teams to the locker room with a Highlanders trailing by one.
 
>> Lambert set the tone of the second half early, nailing a three in the Highlanders first possession.  Moments later Jordan Scott converted a John Nelson pass into a layup and Houghton led by four.
 
>> The two teams traded baskets and leads over the next ten minutes before Houghton finally broke through with their 7-0 run, creating some separation that would eventually lead to the victory.
 
Key Stats
>> After shooting only 35 percent (9-of-26) from the floor in the first half, the Highlanders lit it up in the second, shooting a red-hot 67 percent (14-of-21), including 4-of-7 from three point range.

>> The Highlanders made 15 more trips to the foul line than the Soaring Eagles, sinking 19-of-26 from the line.  Houghton also committed only six turnovers the entire game.

>> Carl Holmes posted a career-high 14 points and added two steals for the Highlanders.
 
>> Johnathan Stowe came within one rebound of collecting his 11^th double-double of the season, finishing his night with 11 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
 
>> Scott scored six points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out a game-high six assists for Houghton.

>> Henry Cuffee scored 21 points to lead to the Soaring Eagles.
 
Coach's Corner
"The guys played their hearts out again, which is difficult to do after a tough loss last night.  These men are really a joy to coach.  They play the game the right way and for the right reason.
 
"We shared the ball really well in the second half.  Our execution in the half-court was excellent.  Kudos to Jordan Scott for being a coach on the floor.  He sees things really well and is like having an assistant coach in the game.
 
"We had a little trouble keeping the ball in front of us, but we cleaned up the glass down the stretch.
 
"Carl Holmes and Samuel Ortega were huge for us coming off the bench.  [Holmes] played with great poise and purpose, and [Ortega] gave us a great defensive presence.
 
"Stowe and John Nelson anchored us on the glass.  [Nelson] didn't end up with a lot of stats, but others did as a result of his work." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
Next Time Out
The Highlanders return to action on Tuesday, February 7 when they travel to Nazareth College to take on the Golden Flyers at 8:00 p.m.  Earlier this season the Highlanders defeated the Golden Flyers at the Nielsen Center, 81-73.