HOUGHTON, NY – The Houghton Highlanders wrapped up the 2018-19 campaign with a home Senior Night loss to the St. John Fisher Cardinals on Tuesday night, 95-65.
 
With Fisher leading, 20-13, midway through the first half, Isander Ramos-Net drained a three to cut the deficit to four point.  The Cardinals, however, quickly answered with a 12-2 run to push the lead back to 14 points.
 
Houghton would trim the lead to as few as 11 points late in the first half, but entered the locker room trailing by 13.
 
Five minutes into the second half, a pair of free throws and a layup by Akil Grampus, followed by a Jordan Holmes three, brought the Highlanders within eight points, but again Fisher countered with a 9-0 run.
 
Houghton would come no closer for the remainder of the game as the Cardinals pulled away down the stretch.
 
In their final games in the purple and gold, Grampus scored a career-high 13 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots, while Antonio Deadmon collected eight points, two assists, a block and a steal.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 65 | St. John Fisher – 95
Records: Houghton: 1-24 (0-16 Empire 8) | St. John Fisher: 17-8 (12-4 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 183

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton finished with 23 turnovers, leading to 30 Fisher points. The Cardinals gave the ball away 15 times, but the Highlanders converted them into only nine points.
 
>> Fisher shot an impressive 58 percent from the floor, including a stifling 67 percent in the second half.  Houghton sank 41 percent of their field goal attempts.
 
>> Jordan Holmes contributed 12 points and three assists for the Highlanders, while Darren Clark scored 11 points and dished out four assists.
 
>> Sammie Robinson led the Cardinals with a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds, and Ryan Henderson chipped in 18 points and eight rebounds, including his 1,000^th career point early in the second half.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I looked forward to coming to coach this team every day.  I actually enjoyed this team every single day.
 
"The results didn't affect how [this team] approached their work every day, and that's something that has more to do with life than basketball.  We learned how to stay focused on the right things.  We didn't win a lot this season, but that's a group of winners. 
 
"We're going to miss our seniors.  [Akil Grampus] exemplified the phrase 'get better every day.'  He's light years beyond where he was when I walked on campus.  He had every reason to stop playing, but he never did.  He was eager to learn and that's going to serve his for a long time.
 
"[Antonio Deadmon's] effort was contagious.  He brought high energy and enthusiasm every day, and that had a huge impact on our younger guys.  His preparation and work ethic helped us improve immensely, especially considering that he did not practice with us until January.
 
"I'm so proud of how Dylan [Lambert] responded to a heartbreaking senior year.  He responded above the line and poured himself into this team, even though he couldn't play.  He's a coach's dream, both on and off the floor.  He's exactly what we're trying to get in this program. 
 
"I tell those guys I love them every day and I mean it every time.  I'm anxious to see the impact they have when they leave.  I'd take those guys in my foxhole any day.
 
"I'm pumped about the future of this program.  We got great experience for our young guys this year and our connectedness is uncommon.  It's been an honor serving as their coach." –Coach Corky McMullen