HOUGHTON, NY— Carl Holmes and Dylan Lambert combined to score 53 points, but  the Alfred Saxons slipped by the Houghton Highlanders in a nail-biter, 75-74.
 
With the Highlanders up by six late in the first half, the Saxons nailed a three and would eventually take a four-point lead into the break.  From the time of that three point basket to the final buzzer, neither team would lead by more than four points.
 
In the waning minutes, Lambert sank a three to pull Houghton within one, 70-71, but Alfred quickly answered with a three of their own.  The lead would stay at four points for the final minute until Holmes sank another Highlander three at the buzzer.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 74 | Alfred – 75
Records: Houghton: 3-16 (0-10 Empire 8) | Alfred: 15-4 (8-2 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 115  

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton held the edge in efficiency, sinking 56 percent of their shots from the floor, while the Saxons converted on only 41 percent. 
 
>>Alfred dominated the offensive boards, outrebounding the Highlanders 14-4 in that category, allowing the Saxons to put up 11 more shots than Houghton.
 
>> Holmes finished with a career-high 28 points and added four rebounds and two assists.
 
>> Lambert collected 25 points, six rebounds and six assists.
 
>> Four Saxons scored at least 10 points, including Dalton Cousin, who led the team with 11 points.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I was proud of our fight tonight.  I thought we scratched and clawed until the final seconds.
 
"We shot the ball well because we executed well.  When we execute well we are very hard to guard. 
 
"We were just a couple of possessions away from coming out on top.  If we clean up a couple silly turnovers and do a little better job boxing out, I think the outcome might have been different.
 
"Dylan and Carl paced us in the scoring column, but in large part because of how well we executed and gave ourselves up on our cuts. 
 
"We will continue to get better every day.  I love working with this group of guys." – Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Utica College this Saturday to take on the Pioneers at 2:00 p.m.