HOUGHTON, NY— A 12-point run by the Sage Gators to open the second half proved the difference in the game as the visiting Gators defeated the Houghton Highlanders on Saturday, 76-57.
 
While the Highlanders had leading scorer Dylan Lambert back in the lineup after missing last night's game due to illness, Lambert was not at full strength and scored nine points in limited minutes.
 
Carl Holmes did everything he could to keep Houghton in the game, scoring 11 of his 13 points and grabbing seven of his 10 rebounds and three of his six steals in the second half.  The Gators run, however, opened up an 18 point lead that proved insurmountable for the Highlanders.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 57 | Sage – 76
Records: Houghton: 3-14 (0-8 Empire 8) | Sage: 7-8 (2-4 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 153  

NOTABLE STATS
>> Holmes' 10 rebounds are a new career high, and gave him the first double-double of his Houghton career.
 
>> Cody Johnson collected nine points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots for the Highlanders, while Darius Brown added eight points and seven rebounds.
 
>> Houghton's Scottie Berghaus added a career-high 10 points.
 
>> Isaiah Scurry led the Gators with a game-high 21 points, while teammate Kevin Lenehan added 10 points and 13 rebounds.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Hats-off to Sage for playing hard.  We, however, need to get better.  I can't wait to get to practice on Monday." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
Houghton will host the St. John Fisher Cardinals in the Nielsen Center on Tuesday, January 23 at 6:00 p.m. in their first Empire 8 rematch of the season.