ROCHESTER, NY –Strong defense and a dominant inside presence propelled the SUNY Cortland Red Dragaons past the Houghton Highlanders on the second day of the University of Rochester Chuck Resler Invitational Basketball Tournament, 92-64.
 
The Red Dragons pulled down 54 total rebounds, including 24 on the offensive end, and forced 19 Houghton turnovers.  Houghton was held to 34 total rebounds and only five on the offensive glass.  Cortland turned the ball over only seven times.
 
While the Highlanders maintained a higher overall shooting percentage (42.3%-to-41.2%), the Red Dragons work on the offensive boards led to a 28-to-2 disparity in second chance points.
 
Houghton stayed within striking distance throughout most of the first half, trailing by only four points with 4:25 remaining on the clock.  But Cortland closed the first period on a 9-3 run to head to the locker room up by 10. 
 
Slowly but surely throughout the second half, the Red Dragons expanded their lead and never looked back, outscoring Houghton, 50-32, over the final 20 minutes. 
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 64 | SUNY Cortland – 92
Records: Houghton: 0-3 | SUNY Cortland: 1-1
Venue: Louis Alexander Palestra, University of Rochester | Attendance: 125

NOTABLE STATS
>> Jajuan Preaster led the Highlanders with 12 points, while teammate AJ Bass collected 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
 
>> Austin Grunder and Eric Edwards both notched double-doubles for the Red Dragons.  Grunder led all scorers with 26 points, and pulled down 13 rebounds, while Edwards added 15 points and 13 boards.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlander return to the Nielsen Center on Wednesday, November 17 for their home opener against cross-county, non-conference rival Alfred State College.  Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.