HOUGHTON, NY— For the second game in a row, a solid second-half performance could not dig the Houghton Highlanders out of a first-half hole, as they fell to the visiting Grove City Wolverines on Tuesday night, 75-61.
 
In the first half the Wolverines capitalized on a 13-1 run over a four minute span to open up a 17 point lead.  Free throws by Jordan Holmes and Darren Clark cut the deficit to 11 points, but Grove City eventually headed to the break up, 38-22.
 
In the second half, Houghton pushed the transition game and varied their defensive looks, creating better offensive opportunities.  The Highlanders shot 16-for-31 from the floor (52%), while holding the Wolverines to only 37 percent shooting.
 
With just over three minutes remaining in the game, a three by AJ Bass and a jumper from Darren Clark cut the lead to 10 points.  Over the waning minutes, Houghton would continue to sink shots, but for every Houghton basket Grove City would answer, sealing the victory for the Wolverines.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 61 |Grove City – 75
Records: Houghton: 1-5 | Grove City: 2-5
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 118

NOTABLE STATS
>> Grove City won the battle of the boards, 42-34, including on the offensive end, 10-6.  The Wolverines scored 13 points on second chance attempts, compared to only two by the Highlanders.
 
>> Subbing in waves, the Wolverines bench outscored the Highlander reserves, 24-9.
 
>> Jordan Holmes led Houghton with 15 points while Isander Ramos-Net chipped in 13, 12 of which came in the second half.  Ramos-Net also dished out four assists.
 
>> Billy McCrae scored 10 points and collected nine rebounds for the Highlanders.
 
>> Justin Rice led the Wolverines with 16 points, five assists and seven rebounds, while Erik Meiners also scored 16 points and added three steals.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We played much better in the second half.  Our transition game was much better; our bigs played much better.  In the first half, they were getting easy buckets and we were grinding out long possessions.  We wanted them to take longer shots and work for rebounds.  In the second half we kept them off-balance with some different defensive looks.
 
"I'm looking forward to spending some time with family, then getting back to work to prepare for Wells on December 4^th." –Head Coach Lance Westberg
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will return to action following the Thanksgiving break on Wednesday, December 4 when they travel to Wells College for a matchup with the Express at 8:00 p.m.