HOUGHTON, NY – As has seemingly become a November tradition between Alfred State and Houghton men's basketball, Wednesday night's game came down to the wire, as the Pioneers hung on in the final seconds to clip the Highlanders, 82-80.
 
At halftime Alfred State clung to a four-point advantage, 43-39, but the Pioneers eventually widened the gap, building a 15-point lead with only seven minutes remaining in the game.  Houghton, however, slowly whittled away at the deficit, and with 2:24 left on the clock, Jajuan Preaster hit a jumper in the lane to pull the Highlanders within three.
 
The two teams traded points into the closing seconds until, with only four seconds to play and the Pioneers still leading by three points, Houghton's Noah Campbell drew a foul that sent him to the line.  Campbell sank the first shot then intentionally missed the second, hoping for a Houghton-friendly carom and put-back.  The Pioneers, however, grabbed the ensuing rebound and Campbell fouled a Pioneer player with 1.2 seconds remaining.
 
Alfred State missed the free throw at the other end and Houghton grabbed the rebound and called timeout.  But the Highlanders final desperation heave sailed to the right as the Pioneers walked away with another close victory.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 80 | Alfred State – 82
Records: Houghton: 0-4 | Alfred State: 2-2
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 132

NOTABLE STATS
>> Alfred State has now won five of the last nine meetings between the two teams, including the last four.  Of the last six times the teams have met, five of those contests have been decided by four or fewer points, and three have been decided by two or fewer points.
 
>> Jordan Holmes led the Highlanders with 17 points while Billy McCrae scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds and collected three steals.
 
>> Josh Reding paced the Pioneers with 13 points and six boards, and Tavion Williams posted 11 points, nine rebounds, three steals, two blocked shots and three assists.
 
UP NEXT
Houghton travels to Grove City College next Tuesday, November 23 before taking a few days off to celebrate Thanksgiving.  The Highlanders and Wolverines tip off at 5:00 p.m.