ALFRED, NY— Trailing by two with less than a minute remaining in overtime, Houghton's Jordan Holmes beat his main into the lane and rose toward the basket.  From behind Holmes, Alfred State's Markel Jenkins leapt and blocked the potential game-tying layup, setting up Josh Reding, who sank a pair of free throws on the other end, sealing the Pioneers victory.
 
Houghton jumped out to an early advantage, leading by as many as 10 points less than midway through the first half.  Alfred State slowly climbed back into the game, pulling within one with less than five minutes to play in the half before the Highlanders surged ahead, with baskets by Holmes and Isander Ramos-Net giving Houghton a nine-point halftime lead.
 
Alfred State opened the second half with a 12-3 run, tying the score just over four minutes into the period.  The Pioneers led by as many as eight when Reding nailed a three with less than 11 minutes to play.
 
Houghton would pull even with a 12-4 run of their own over the next four minutes.  From there the two teams would remain neck-and-neck until Houghton's AJ Bass hit a pair of free throws with 12 seconds remaining to give the Highlanders a three point lead.  But with four seconds left, Reding drained a three-pointer to send the game to overtime.
 
With less than two minutes to play in overtime Alfred State's Ryan Gentile hit a three to put the Pioneers up by five, but Houghton's Scottie Berghaus quickly answered with a three of his own to pull the score within two.  After Alfred State missed a shot, Holmes drove the lane and was blocked by Jenkins.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 87 | Alfred State – 91 (OT)
Records: Houghton: 1-3 | Alfred State: 1-2
Venue: Orvis Activities Center, Alfred State College | Attendance: 209

NOTABLE STATS
>> Each of the last three games between the two schools –and four of the last five—have been decided by four points or less.
 
>> Houghton was called for 25 personal fouls, sending Alfred State to the free throw line 32 times (they converted 19).  By comparison, the Pioneers were whistled for only 14 fouls, resulting in 10 Houghton free throws, five of which they made.
 
>> While Houghton shot over 50% from the floor, and Alfred State shot just under 50% for the game, the Pioneers shot an astounding 69% from the floor in the second half.
 
>> Holmes led the Highlanders with 20 points and 10 rebounds, good for his second double-double of the season.
 
>> Berghaus scored a season-high 17 points and Ramos-Net posted 14 points, six assists and three steals.
 
>> Reding collected a game-high 25 points and dished out eight assists, while Gentile added 20 points and five assists and Jenkins posted 20 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"It was really fun to see our guys play tonight with a much-improved sense of enthusiasm and unity.  They are starting to play for each other and it is becoming special to see.

"Alfred State made some big plays down the stretch, which ultimately led to their victory.  I'm proud of the way our guys grew as both individuals and teammates in the last few days.  We're headed in the right direction." - Coach Lance Westburg.

UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to SUNY Geneseo on Saturday, November 23 for a matchup with the Knights at 2:00 p.m.