HOUGHTON, NY – Jajuan Preaster scored 24 second-half points to help the Houghton Highlanders overcome a 12-point second half deficit in route to an 81-62 victory over the visiting Wells Express. 
 
After building a 10-point lead at the half, the Express quickly stretched their advantage to 12 points early in the second half.  But a bucket by Luke Cole and back-to-back threes by Trey Flatt kicked the Highlanders comeback into overdrive. 
 
Nearly midway through the second half, Preaster scored six straight points to tie the game, before an Aaron Johnson layup gave the Highlanders their first lead of the game.
 
The remainder of the half belonged to Houghton.  Over the final 20 minutes of the game, the Highlanders took advantage of 18 Wells turnovers, 13 of those by steal.  In all, Houghton outscored the Express 55-26 in the second half, snapping a four-game losing streak to Wells.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 81 | Wells – 62
Records: Houghton: 1-1 | Wells: 0-1
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 322

NOTABLE STATS
>> Preaster finished 11-of-19 from the floor, including 10-of-12 in the second half, for a total of 26 points.  He also added eight rebounds and two steals.
 
>> Trey Flatt hit 4-of-9 shots from beyond the arc for 14 points, while David Rosa added 12 points and five steals, and Preston Thomas picked up 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Well, we've figured out the 'get down by double digits in the first half and comeback' strategy. Now we need to be better coming out of the gate. That said, what a second half defensively from our guys! Trey [Flatt], David [Rosa], [Brandon Thomas], and [Jajuan Preaster] really turned up the heat on ballhandlers, James Wang protected the paint for us at key times, and we hit the boards harder.

"Yeah, we scored 55 points in the second half, but it was because of our D. Things go well on offense when you defend that hard."
 
On JaJuan Preaster: "Did I mention last time that JaJuan is our spark? He had a tough first half but did not press the issue in the second half, made good choices, and got hot. Plain and simple, he sealed that game for us with the way he attacked."
 
On Trey Flatt: "I also need to give a lot of credit to Trey for keeping us in it during our first half struggles. He's a gamer and does a lot from possession to possession." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Wednesday for another non-conference tilt against the Alfred State Pioneers.  Houghton is 4-6 all-time against the Pioneers, although Alfred State has won the last five matchups, all by four points or less.