HOUGHTON, NY— After watching a double-digit lead nearly evaporate in the second half, the Houghton Highlanders finished strong, defeating the visiting Keuka Wolves, 90-77, for their second consecutive Empire 8 victory.
 
Despite 10 first half three-pointers from the Wolves, the Highlanders built a 12-point advantage, 52-40, at the half, thanks in large part to a near-59-percent shooting effort from the floor.
 
Early in the second half it appeared that Houghton would continue to pull away, as layups by Jordan Holmes and Josh Jordan gave the Highlanders a 14-point advantage.  But the Wolves continued to respond, and eventually began to chip away at the deficit.
 
With just under 10 minutes to play Daniel Obunse sank the back end of a pair of free throws to pull Keuka within only four points.  But in less than two minutes the Highlanders peeled off a 10-0 run to push their lead back to 14 points, capped by a three-pointer from Luke Cole.
 
While the Wolves would trim the deficit in the closing minutes, they would never trail by less than 10 points, as Houghton closed out the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 90 | Keuka – 77
Records: Houghton: 3-17 (3-8 Empire 8) | Keuka: 2-15 (2-7 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton College | Attendance: 255

NOTABLE STATS
>> Josh Jordan scored a career-high 21 points to lead the Highlanders, converting 9-of-14 from the field, while Jajuan Preaster reached double-digits for the second consecutive game, adding 14 points.
 
>> AJ Bass turned in an all-around stellar performance at the point for the Highlanders, matching his career-high with 14 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting, while adding three assists and five steals, and only committing one turnover.
 
>> Jordan Holmes added nine points and a team-high 12 rebounds for the Highlanders.  He now has 1274 career points and now trails Harold Spooner (1970-74) by only 76 points for seventh place on the all-time Houghton scoring list.
 
>> Devin Milton and Will Tehan paced the Wolves, scoring 25 and 15 points apiece, respectively.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Keuka Park on Tuesday for an immediate rematch with the Wolves at 7:00 p.m.   The two teams were originally scheduled to play in January but the game was rescheduled.