HOUGHTON, NY— Despite a strong showing in the second half, the Houghton Highlanders could not overcome a 12-point halftime deficit, falling to the Nazareth Golden Flyers on Saturday afternoon, 87-77.
 
While the Highlanders shot the ball at a slightly higher clip than they Golden Flyers, and both teams protected the ball, the work on the offensive glass and long-range shooting proved crucial.  Nazareth grabbed eight more offensive boards (16-to-8) than Houghton, leading to a second-chance differential of seven points in the Golden Flyers favor.
 
Nazareth also made six more three-pointers than Houghton, while shooting 10 percent higher from beyond the arc.
 
After Nazareth built a 14-point lead in the first 12 minutes, Houghton fought back, cutting the lead to five with three minutes remaining before the half.  But the Golden Flyers answered emphatically, rebuilding the lead to 12 points as the teams went into the break.
 
Throughout the second half, Houghton continued to make runs at the lead, pulling as close as seven points on a Scottie Berghaus jumper early in the half, but the Golden Flyers answered every time, and the Highlanders could not overcome the deficit. 
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 77 |Nazareth – 87
Records: Houghton: 4-16 (2-7 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 16-4 (8-1 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 183

NOTABLE STATS
>> Isander Ramos-Net scored 24 points and dished out six assists for the Highlanders, eclipsing the 20-point mark for the fifth time this season.  He has also had at least five assists in nine separate contests this year.
 
>> Billy McCrae went 10-for-15 from the floor, scoring 21 points and grabbing six rebounds. 
 
>> Scottie Berghaus added 16 points, the seventh consecutive game he has reached double-digits, and Jordan Holmes posted his seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 boards.
 
>> Stephen Gabel and Kevin Underwood led the Golden Flyers with 18 points apiece, and Jonathan Park turned in a monster night on the glass, grabbing 16 rebounds while adding 11 points.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders hit the road next weekend, February 7 and 8, for back-to-back Empire 8 contests.  On Friday, Houghton plays the Sage Gators in Albany at 5:30 p.m., then heads to Utica for a matchup with the Pioneers on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.