HOUGHTON, NY—Dylan Lambert hit a pair of free throws to pull Houghton within four at the half, but the Nazareth Golden Flyers capitalized on an 8-0 run to start the second to defeat the Highlanders, 80-60.
 
After leading for the majority of the first half, Houghton eventually relinquished the lead with just over four minutes to play.  While the Highlanders kept things close before heading to the locker room, the second half proved decisive for the Golden Flyers, who currently sit atop the Empire 8 standings.
 
In the final home game of their Highlander career, Darius Brown, Carl Holmes and Cody Johnson collected a combined total of 39 points, 19 rebounds, nine assists and four steals.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 60 | Nazareth – 80
Records: Houghton: 3-18 (0-12 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 16-6 (11-2 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 147 

NOTABLE STATS
>> Nazareth won the battle of the turnovers, 19-8, and pulled down 15 offensive boards, 11 of which came in the second half.
 
>> Houghton held a higher shooting percentage from the floor, 46-to-44 percent.
 
>> Brown came within one point of his career-high, posting 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
 
>> Holmes scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds and four steals, and dished out two assists.  He has not scored in double-digits in each of his past six games and in 16 of the team's 21 games so far this season.
 
>> Johnson added 12 points and six boards, while Lambert scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"[Give] credit to Coach Broderick and Naz.  They are a very good basketball team. 
 
"It was a tale of two halves.  In the first half we executed well, took care of the ball, and rebounded.  In the second half we didn't execute, turned the ball over and didn't rebound.  It's a simple game.
 
"Senior night is always emotional.  I'm proud of how our seniors have handled adversity.
 
"Looking forward to getting better tomorrow in practice." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
Houghton hits the road this weekend, heading to Albany on Friday to take on the Sage Gators at 6:00 p.m. before travelling to Hoboken, NJ on Saturday where they will match up with the Stevens Ducks at 3:00 p.m.