HOUGHTON, NY— The Sage Gators overcame a 13-point first-half deficit to defeat the Houghton Highlanders, 92-88, on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Gators changed defensive looks late in the first half, applying full-court pressure and forcing 22 Houghton turnovers, which they converted into 31 points.
 
Houghton came out of the blocks hot, grabbing an early lead and eventually reeled off an 11-0 run, capped by a Darren Clark three-pointer, to go up by 13 with just over 12 minutes to play in the first half.
 
With seven minutes to go in the first half, Houghton still led by 13 points, but the Gators began to chip away, eventually capturing the lead and building a five point advantage before a jumper from Billy McCrae sent the teams to the locker rooms with Sage up by three, 48-45.
 
In the second half, the teams seesawed, with both teams gaining leads but neither able to pull away.  Then with 5:25 remaining Joshua Gonzalez hit a jumper to put Sage up by six.
 
With only 37 seconds left on the clock Darius Denmark sank a pair of free throws to put Sage up by eight, at which point Isander Ramos-Net did everything in his power to will the Highlanders to victory on the closing seconds. 
 
Ramos-Net drained back-to-back threes, the second of which came with seven seconds remaining, to pull Houghton within three points, but Jalon Borders converted one-of-two free throws for the Gators and the Highlanders eventually ran out of time.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 88 | Sage – 92
Records: Houghton: 3-14 (1-5 Empire 8) | Sage: 10-8 (3-4 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 189

NOTABLE STATS
>> All five Houghton starters posted double-digit point totals, the second time this season (November 11 vs. Alfred State) they have accomplished the feat. 
 
>> Ramos-Net turned in his first double-double of the season, pouring in 19 points (14 in the second half) and dishing out a season-high 10 assists.  The Houghton point guard nearly pulled off a triple-double, grabbing seven rebounds, too. 
 
>> McCrae also notched a double-double, also his first of the season, matching Ramos-Net with 19 points while pulling down 11 rebounds.
 
>> Jordan Holmes and Darren Clark each collected eight rebounds and turned in 18 and 13 points apiece, respectively.
 
>> Deontae Sherwood led the Gators with 20 points, while Tyler Mitchell added 16 points and Joshua Gonzalez had 13 points and eight rebounds.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel cross-county on Tuesday, January 28 to challenge rival Alfred University at 5:30 p.m.