SYRACUSE, NY – Ocypher Owens scored 26 points to guide the Le Moyne College Dolphins past the visiting Houghton University Highlanders on Monday evening, 92-72.
 
The Dolphins are in the midst of their first year as an NCAA Division I institution, having previously played as a member of the NCAA Division II.
 
While Le Moyne counted the competition as an official contest, because of the difference in classification, Houghton was allowed to list the competition as an exhibition match.
 
The Highlanders gave the Dolphins the challenge they were looking for, matching them basket-for-basket throughout most of the first half.  In the closing minutes before the break, the Dolphins finally earned some separation, entering the locker room up, 39-30.
 
In the second half, the Dolphins quickly lengthened their advantage, pulling ahead by as many as 24 points with 11:21 remaining on the clock.
 
But the Highlanders slowly began to chip away, and with just over five minutes to play, a three-pointer by Trey Flatt cut the Dolphins lead to only 10 points. 
 
That, however, would be as close as Houghton would come, as Le Moyne outscored the Highlanders, 16-6, over the final minutes.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 72 | Le Moyne – 92  
Records: Houghton: 2-8 (1-2 Empire 8) |Le Moyne: 5-7 (0-0 NAC)  
Venue: Ted Grant Court, Le Moyne College | Attendance: 292

NOTABLE STATS
>> Four Highlanders scored in double-digits, led by Jajuan Preaster, who netted 17 points and seven assists.  Preston Thomas knocked down five threes to score 15 points, while Aaron Johnson and Trey Flatt scored 12 points apiece.
 
>> The Dolphins held two distinct advantages: turnovers (23-to-12) and steals (19-to-1).
 
COACH'S CORNER
"We fought so well tonight against a team that has been playing well too. LeMoyne exerted their will on us with physicality and transition early in the second half, but we responded and answered with great execution to get back in the game. We grew tonight and used all 40 minutes to get better. I could not ask for much more.
 
"JaJuan [Preaster], Preston [Thomas], Aaron [Johnson], and Trey [Flatt] all showed they can score against tough defenses tonight, yet they did so within our offense. [Brandon Taylor], David [Rosa], James [Wang], and Luke [Cole] executed their roles well, which opened up some of those opportunities for our top guys. Some guys scored, some guys dished, but everyone contributed." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders will travel to New York City, where they will take on the John Jay Bulldogs on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. before challenging the City College of New York Beavers on Friday at 1:00 p.m.