ALFRED, NY— The Alfred University Saxons overcame an 11-point halftime deficit and staved off a late run by the Houghton Highlanders (0-2) to win their season opener, 74-71.
 
Houghton led by as many as 16 points at multiple points in the first half, and as late as just over four minutes to play before the break, before the Saxons slowly whittled the difference to 11 points on a fastbreak jumper by Kevin Durkin with four seconds remaining.
 
Alfred quickly erased the Houghton lead in the opening minutes of the second half with an 11-0 run.  The teams traded baskets to the midway mark, before the Saxons began to pull away. 
 
With less than three minutes remaining, Mike Schmidt converted a three-point play to put the Saxons up by nine points, but Houghton refused to concede.  With 11 seconds to play Darren Clark drained a three to pull Houghton within three points.  After Schmidt made one of two free throws, Jordan Holmes drew a foul on a three point shot with one second remaining.  Holmes hit the first, but missed the second.  On the third free throw, Holmes' intentional miss attempt did not hit the iron, returning the ball to the Saxons, who ran out the clock.    
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 71 | Alfred – 74
Records: Houghton: 0-2 (0-2 Empire 8) | Alfred: 1-0 (1-0 Empire 8)
Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred University| Attendance: 0

NOTABLE STATS
>> After hitting 52% of their shots in the first half, including 54% from three-point range, the Highlanders converted only 28% from the floor, and 27% from beyond the arc, in the second half.  In the same categories, Alfred shot 35% and 9% in the first half, before knocking down 52% and 45% in the second.
 
>> Alfred maintained a slim advantage in turnovers, 16-14, but dished out 12 assists, while Houghton managed only eight.
 
>> Billy McCrae went 6-of-10 from the floor and 6-of-8 from the line for 19 points, and Jordan Holmes collected his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.  The double-double is the ninth of Holmes' career, and his 14 points give him 949 for his career.
 
>> Brijon Warren added 13 points and six rebounds, and Darren Clark chipped in 10 points for the Highlanders.
 
>> Schmidt scored a game-high 23 points and added six assists, while teammate Marshall Brewster posted 18 points and six rebounds for the Saxons.
 
UP NEXT
Houghton will next head to Rochester on Friday, March 12 to take on the Nazareth College Golden Flyers at 7:00 p.m., before returning to Houghton the next day for a rematch with the same team at 2:00 p.m.