HOUGHTON, NY— Clinging to a two-point lead with less than nine minutes to play, Jordan Holmes drained a deep three that kick-started a 7-0 run, creating a cushion and propelling the Houghton Highlanders to their first win of the season over the visiting Hartwick Hawks, 68-54.
 
After jumping out to an early lead, the Highlanders found themselves in a dogfight throughout the first half.  The Hawks pulled even and kept pace with every Houghton basket, and the two teams entered the break with Houghton ahead by one, 33-32. 
 
The early part of the second half brought more of the same.  Houghton would pull ahead, only to have the Hawks battle back to within a basket. 
 
After Holmes three sparked Houghton's run midway through the second half, Hartwick would never come closer than six points as the Highlanders began to pull away. 
 
With less than four minutes to play, Andrew Wright corralled a steal and found freshman Jabari Talton in the corner for a three-pointer that kick-started a 13-1 Houghton run that would seal the Highlanders victory.  
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 68 |Hartwick – 54
Records: Houghton: 1-10 (1-1 Empire 8) | Hartwick: 0-12 (0-4 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 192

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton out-rebounded the Hawks, 52-39, and held a significant advantage in shooting percentage.  While Hartwick made only 21-of-76 (27.6%) shots from the floor, Houghton converted 27-of-59 (45.8%)
 
>> Billy McCrae and Jordan Holmes scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds apiece, while McCrae added four assists.  Holmes now has 1,181 career points and trails eight-place-holder Yannick Anzuluni (2006-10) by only 39 points.
 
>> Limited by foul trouble, Josh Jordan still turned in another solid performance, going 6-for-6 from the floor for 12 points.  He has scored in double-digits in all three games since returning from break, and is shooting 83% (20-of-24) from the floor over that span.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center tomorrow for a matchup with the Russell Sage Colleges Gators at 4:00 p.m.