HOUGHTON, NY – The Hartwick Hawks put up a big second half to pull away from the Houghton Highlanders, picking up their first conference win of the season, 82-55.
 
The two teams battled throughout the first half before Jordan Holmes hit a layup to give the Highlanders a one-point lead with 4:45 on the clock.
 
Hartwick quickly responded by converting two three-point plays and would take an eight-point lead into the break.  The Hawks would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game.
 
Hartwick opened the second half with an 8-1 run before Houghton found their feet. Houghton continued to battle, and near the midway point, Scottie Berghaus drained a three to pull the Highlanders within nine points.
 
From there it was almost all blue, as the Hawks outscored the Highlanders in the final 10 minutes, 27-12.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 55 | Hartwick – 82
Records: Houghton: 1-12 (0-4 Empire 8) | Hartwick: 5-8 (1-3 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 152

NOTABLE STATS
>> After shooting only 35% from the floor in the first half, the Hawks sank 55% of their shots in the final 20 minutes.
 
>> Jordan Holmes finished with a game-high 23 points and added eight rebounds for the Highlanders.
 
>> Akil Grampus pulled down a career-high 13 boards, including four on the offensive end.
 
>> While the Hawks did not have a player score more than 13 points, they did have six different players score in double-digits.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I'm really proud of our fight.  Our guys defended [all game long].
 
"It's pretty simple for us: we've got to take care of the ball, we've got to get some stops, and we've got to make some shots.  We had some good looks and just didn't put the ball in the hole.
 
"We got great minutes out of Akil Grampus.  He dominated the boards and gave us extra looks.    
 
"Jordan [Holmes] drove the ball really well tonight.  He's beginning to become the leader we need him to be." –Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the court tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. to take on the visiting Utica Pioneers at the Nielsen Center.