ONEONTA, N.Y. – Trailing by a point at the half, the Houghton Highlanders put together strong offensive and defensive efforts to take down the Hartwick Hawks for the second time this season, 63-57.
 
After battling throughout the opening minutes of the first half, Hartwick began to pull away, owning a 10-point advantage with less than five minutes to go before the half.  But Houghton's Jajuan Preaster nailed a three that kicked off a 10-0 run to tie the game.  The Hawks would eventually sink a free throw in the closing seconds to go into the locker room up by a point.
 
The opening minutes of the second half began with a back-and-forth battle.  With the game knotted at 33-33, three minutes in, Billy McCrae converted a three-point play that led to an 8-0 run for the Highlanders.
 
Houghton would not trail again for the remainder of the game.
 
With 12:17 remaining Josh Jordan stretched the Houghton lead to 12 points with layup.  Hartwick, however, refused to go quietly, and with 3:37 to play Kevin Felasco hit a three that pulled the Hawks within five.
 
Seconds later Reece Gustafson answered with a three of his own, and while the Hawks would stay within striking distance in the remaining minutes, Houghton continued to answer and keep them just out of reach.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 63 | Hartwick – 57
Records: Houghton: 4-19 (4-10 Empire 8) | Hartwick: 1-19 (1-11 Empire 8)
Venue: Lambros Arena, Hartwick College | Attendance: 260

NOTABLE STATS
>> McCrae's three-point play early in the second half marked the only foul shot the Highlanders took the entire day.  They finished 1-for-1 from the line.  Hartwick finished 9-for-14.
 
>> Houghton shot over 48 percent from the floor in the second half (16-of-33), while limiting the Hawks to just over 31 percent (11-of-35).
 
>> Jordan led the Highlanders with 14 points, converting 7-of-10 shots, while McCrae added 11 points and four blocks, and Preaster 11 points.
 
>> Felasco paced the Hawks with 16 points and three steals.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this upcoming Friday, February 18, when they will host the Utica Pioneers at 7:30 p.m.