ELMIRA, N.Y.—The Houghton Highlanders closed out the 2017-18 campaign in a dramatic, impressive fashion on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Elmira Soaring Eagles in an overtime barn-burner, 108-103.

The out-scoring display was the first time the Highlanders hit the century mark since a 100-96 win over D'Youville in the 2015-16 season. The team record for most points in a game also came against D'Youville in a 141-78 Highlander win in 1982-83. Saturday's combined point total of 211 still ranks behind that game and the 224 total recorded in a 121-103 Houghton loss to Elmira in 1974-75 and a 118-106 loss to Roberts Wesleyan in 1993-94. 
 
With just over a minute to play in the extra period, Carl Holmes found fellow-senior Cody Johnson for the eventual game winning basket to put the Highlanders on top for good, 105-103. Holmes and Dylan Lambert would each sink free throws in the final minute to ice the victory.
 
Houghton took an eight-point lead into the final three minutes of regulation, but the Soaring Eagles battled back, eventually tying the game on a dramatic three-pointer by Hayden Harkins with only nine seconds to play.
 
An offensive foul by the Highlanders on the final possession sent the game into overtime.
 
Lambert tied his season-high with a game-best 34 points on 12-of-19 shooting, while adding nine rebounds and five assists.  It is the fourth time this season that he has reached the 30-point mark in a single game.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 108 | Elmira – 103 (OT)
Records: Houghton: 4-21 (1-15 Empire 8) | Elmira: 4-21 (2-14 Empire 8)
Venue: Speidel Gymnasium, Elmira College | Attendance: 253
 
NOTABLE STATS
>> The 211 combined points between the two teams is second most in Houghton history
 
>> Carl Holmes picked up his second consecutive double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.  He also added eight assists.
 
>> Jordan Holmes scored a career-high 24 points and dished out seven assists, while Cody Johnson and Antonio Deadmon added 15 and 13 points apiece, respectively.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"It was a Wild West shootout in Elmira tonight.  Both teams really shot the ball well.
 
"Our execution on the offensive end was the best it's been all year.
 
"Dylan [Lambert] and Carl [Holmes] led with poise and kept us organized.  They both had great numbers but made everyone else better along the way.
 
"Jordan [Holmes] hit some big shots in key moments, and did a great job of choosing when to get into gaps on the drive.  [Isander Ramos-Net] and Tony [Deadmon] gave us great minutes off the bench, especially on the defensive end.
 
"I'm really proud of our seniors—Darius [Brown], Cody [Johnson] and Carl [Holmes] for not allowing results to impact how we approached each day and each practice.  Their resilience has kept the group connected.
 
"It was a great way to end the season, and a great way for our seniors to go out.  It's been a season of growth, struggle and adversity; but we continued to persevere despite our win/loss record.  I couldn't be prouder of this group of men for staying connected, and staying the course.
 
"I'm excited about our returners… can't wait for October 15, 2018." –Coach Corky McMullen