HOUGHTON, NY – Frigid outdoor temperatures kicked off the men's basketball season with some unseasonably cold shooting in the Nielsen Center as Houghton Highlanders fell to the SUNY Geneseo Knights, 81-46, on Tuesday night.
 
The two teams combined to shoot only 31 percent from the floor in the first half and only 37 percent for the game. 
 
Geneseo sprinted out to an early 16-5 lead, but Houghton clawed back into the game, cutting the lead to three points with 3:35 remaining in the first half thanks to back-to-back threes by Isander Ramos-Net and Scottie Berghaus.
 
The Knights would close out the half with five straight points, then took advantage of several big runs in the second half to open up their lead for good.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 46 | SUNY Geneseo – 81
Records: Houghton: 0-1 | SUNY Geneseo: 1-0
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 215

NOTABLE STATS
>> Geneseo dominated the boards, 54-33, including 21 offensive rebounds, although many of the rebounds came as a result of cold shooting. 
 
>> Both teams combined for only 23 turnovers, 11 for Geneseo and 12 for Houghton.
 
>> Dylan Lambert and Jordan Holmes led the Highlanders with 13 points apiece.  The pair also added eight and five rebounds, respectively.
 
>> Terrance Nichols and Zack Panebianco scored 16 points apiece for the Knights.   
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Geneseo's a very good scoring team that executed well at times.  Coach Minton does a great job of keeping his team disciplined.
 
"I thought we did a good job of defending them, especially in the first half. 
 
"Offensively, when we executed well we got great shots.  We just didn't make the shots.  If we make a couple of those shots early, I think it's an entirely different game.
 
"I wasn't overly enthused with our effort in the last 10 minutes, but we're excited to watch the film.  We'll learn from this evening and get better." –Head Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Rochester this weekend for the University of Rochester Tournament.  They will challenge the host Yellowjackets on Friday at 6:00 p.m., then play either Cabrini or Baldwin Wallace on Saturday.