HOUGHTON, NY— Despite playing to a second-half draw, the Houghton Highlanders could not overcome a 16-point halftime deficit as they fell to the Utica Pioneers on Friday night, 56-72.
 
With their leading scoring, Dylan Lambert, out due to illness, the Highlanders dug themselves an early hole, trailing by 12 within the first five minutes of the game and as many as 21 late in the first half. 
 
In the second half Houghton came out shooting.  Three pointers by Carl Holmes and Scottie Berghaus gave the Highlanders some momentum, and a jumper by Holmes at the 13:07 mark cut the Pioneer lead to ten.
 
Utica, however, would pull away in the latter minutes of the second half, relying on the strong play of guard Bennito Ayarza, who scored 11 points in the final 20 minutes.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 56 | Utica – 72
Records: Houghton: 3-13 (0-7 Empire 8) | Utica: 9-6 (4-2 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 123

NOTABLE STATS
>> After committing 10 turnovers in the first half, Houghton gave the ball away only four times in the second, playing even with the Pioneers, 34-34.
 
>> Houghton shot 41 percent (9-of-21) from long range and knocked down 11-of-13 (85%) foul shots.
 
>> Utica out-rebounded the Highlanders 40-29.
 
>> Carl Holmes led all players with 23 points and added seven rebounds and four assists. 
 
>> Jordan Holmes added nine points and five rebounds for the Highlanders.
 
>> Ayarza finished with 19 points, five assists and four steals, while teammate Ivan Iton picked up 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We were disappointed in how we started the game.  I thought we would have a little more fight.

"We showed some resilience in the half, but we need to have better presence and posture tomorow." -Coach Corky McMullen

UP NEXT
The Highlanders are back in action tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. when they take on the visiting Sage Gators at the Nielsen Center.