HOUGHTON, NY – The Sage Gators battled back from a five-point second half deficit to defeat the Houghton Highlanders on Friday, 78-64.
 
Houghton led by as many as nine points in the first half, but the Gators cut the lead to only one heading into halftime.
 
Three pointers by Darren Clark and Jordan Holmes quickly put the Highlanders up by five in the second half, but the Gators quickly posted a 9-0 run to go up by six.
 
With under five minutes to play, Isander Ramos-Net nailed a three from the right wing to pull Houghton back within three, 58-55, but again Sage answered. 
 
Over the final four minutes the Highlanders would have numerous good looks but simply could not close the gap.  The Gators would outscore the home team 20-8 over that stretch as they pulled away for the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 64 | Sage – 78
Records: Houghton: 1-20 (0-12 Empire 8) | Sage: 10-13 (6-8 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 163

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton won the battle of the turnovers, 15-18, but scored only eight points from their takeaways, while the Gators locked up 17 points in the same category.
 
>> Sage pulled down 52 total rebounds, 17 on the offensive end, while Houghton grabbed only 31 total boards, nine offensively.
 
>> After shooting over 44 percent from the field in the first half, Houghton knocked down just over 26 percent of their shots in the second.  Sage, on the other hand, improved from just over 34 percent, to 52 percent.
 
>> Jordan Holmes went 9-for-10 from the line, collecting 21 points and three blocked shots for Houghton, while Ramos-Net picked up 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor.
 
>> Chris Kidd and Joshua Gonzalez each picked up double-doubles for the Gators, posting 20 and 12 points apiece, respectively, and grabbing 12 rebounds each.  Darius Denmark added 17 points, 12 of which came in the second half.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"When we got to the second side we get really good shots, we just didn't make enough of them. 
 
We're doing a lot of good things that aren't showing up on the scoreboard, but that's basketball.  We have to do some of those things that show up better.
 
"We did a great job against their pressure; we've just got to do a better job behind their pressure.
 
"We're getting better.  We're failing and learning, and we're ready to get over the hump.  We've just got to put the ball in the hole.
 
"I want so badly for our guys to experience some wins.  They've worked so hard and become much better.  But no one is going to give it to us.  We've got to earn it.  We're thankful for every opportunity to come out and practice and every opportunity to come out and play." – Coach Corky McMullen
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to action tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m. when they host the Stevens Ducks in the Nielsen Center.