HOUGHTON, NY— Jordan Holmes scored 19 points in the second half, finishing with a game-high 27, and Billy McCrae added a career-high 24 points to propel the Houghton Highlanders past the SUNY ESF Mighty Oaks on Saturday afternoon, 83-61.
 
The Highlanders came out of the gates on fire, scoring the game's first seven points, and never trailed.
 
The Mighty Oaks, however, would certainly make things interesting. 
 
After Houghton took a six-point lead into the half, ESF scored a layup and a jumped to pull within two early in the second half.  The Highlanders would continue to score, but the Mighty Oaks continued to answer.
 
Leading by only five points with a little over nine minutes to play, the Highlanders reeled off an 8-0 run in less than a minute, highlighted by a pair of pocket-picks by Isander Ramos-Net and a brilliant three-point play by Holmes to push the lead to 13 points.
 
Houghton continued to press the tempo, wearing down the Oaks and forcing multiple fouls.  Over the game's final minutes the Highlanders would hit 9-of-10 free throws to seal the victory.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 83 |SUNY ESF – 61
Records: Houghton: 2-9 | SUNY ESF: 5-4
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 115

NOTABLE STATS
>> McCrae's 24 points doubled his previous best.  He also pulled down six rebounds.
 
>> Holmes reached the 20-point mark for the fourth time this season.  He now has 734 points in his career.
 
>> Ramos-Net finished with 13 points and eight assists, a season-high.  He has dished out at least four assists seven times in 11 games this season.
 
>> Henry Pflaumer and Cole Paradies scored 16 points apiece to lead the Mighty Oaks.  Pflaumer added five assists and Paradies pulled down seven boards.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We took pride in our defense and doing the little things right.  We had good discipline in the second half and executed the game plan. 
 
"Darren Clark played exceptionally well on both ends of the court.  Billy McCrae really stretched their zone in the middle spot. 
 
"We're excited to get Coach Westberg back (healthy) on Monday as we head into Empire 8 conference play" – Assistant Coach Isaac Castellano
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders open Empire 8 conference play on the road next Friday, January 10, when they travel to Rochester to take on the Nazareth Golden Flyers at 5:30 p.m.