HOUGHTON, NY— After leading by as many as seven points in the opening minutes of the second half, the Houghton Highlanders watched the SUNY Canton Roos rally to tie the game in the final minute of regulation, then steal the victory in overtime, 81-74.
 
Houghton took a three-point lead into the break, then opened the second half with a steal-and-breakaway-dunk by Jajuan Preaster, and a layup by Preston Thomas to build the Highlanders lead to seven points.
 
The Highlanders would retain a two-possession lead for the next seven minutes, but slowly the Roos would chip away.  Over the final 12 minutes of the game, neither team would lead by more than three points.
 
With less than a minute to play, and the Highlanders leading, 64-62, Canton's Moe Biao hit a layup to tie the score.  Each team missed a three-pointer in the closing seconds, and the game went to overtime.
 
The extra five minutes belonged to the Roos, as Canton opened the extra period on a 12-2 run.  While the Highlanders had opportunities to pull closer, they could not capitalize, as the Roos reeled in their third win of the season.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 74 | SUNY Canton – 81
Records: Houghton: 1-5 | SUNY Canton: 3-6
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 181

NOTABLE STATS
>> While the Highlanders committed only one more turnover (21-20) than the Roos, Canton converted the Houghton turnovers into 25 points, while Houghton managed only 14.  And while Canton outrebounded the Highlanders by only one board (48-47), Houghton scored 15 second-chance points to Canton's nine.
 
>> Thomas finished 10-for-20 from the field, including 4-of-6 from long range for a game-high 24 points, while also adding eight rebounds.  Thomas has breached the 20-point barrier in three of the team's last four games.
 
>> Preaster added 15 points and four assists, while Trey Flatt chipped in 13 points and three steals.
 
>> Kevin Goode Jr. led the Roos with 17 points and five steals.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Consistency, especially in our decision making, continues to be what we lack, but improvements are visible. The scoreboard is an unforgiving judge and the pain of losing close games should help accelerate the learning curve. We're not far away." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Saturday, December 2^nd, when they will open conference play against reigning Empire 8 regular-season champion, Utica University, at 4:00 p.m.