HOUGHTON, NY – Jajuan Preaster and David Rosa combined for 45 points, leading the Houghton Highlanders past the Russell Sage Gators, 83-68, for their third conference win of the season.
 
The Highlanders dictated the terms of engagement early and often.  Preaster nailed a pair of threes on two of Houghton's first three possessions, and Preston Thomas hit one of his own on the fourth.
 
Six minutes into the game the Highlanders' lead reached double-digits, and with three minutes to go before the half the advantage had reached 16 points.  The Gators, however, closed out the half with a 5-0 run, trimming their deficit to 41-30.
 
Early in the second half the Gators cut the Houghton lead to seven, and Preaster picked up his fourth foul.  With the Highlanders seemingly on the ropes, Trey Flatt found David Rosa time after time, as multiple Houghton players stepped up their games, eventually stretching the lead to as many as 18 points with just under eight minutes to play.
 
Houghton continued to hold the Gators as bay, closing out the game much as they had started it. 
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 83 | Russell Sage – 68
Records: Houghton: 5-11 (3-4 Empire 8) | Russell Sage: 8-9 (1-7 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 263

NOTABLE STATS
>> Preaster finished with a game-high 23 points, going 10-of-13 from the field and 3-of-4 from long range, while also picking up four rebounds and four assists.  He has reached double-digit points in every game in which he has played this season, and scored at least 20 points five times.  For his career, Preaster now has 882 points.  He is averaging 19.3 points per game this season and currently ranks third in the Empire 8 in scoring.  At his current pace, Preaster should reach 1,000 points with room to spare this season.
 
>> Rosa notched a season-high 22 points, knocking down 11-of-15 shots, while posting six boards, four assists and three steals and a blocked shot.  
 
>> Thomas collected 16 points, six assists, a team-best eight rebounds, and did not commit a single turnover.  Flatt added nine assists, five rebounds and five steals.  Thomas has scored at least 10 points in a game 13 times this season, and currently ranks sixth in the Empire 8 in scoring (16.3 ppg).  Flatt currently ranks second in the E8 in total assists (65), assists per game (4.1) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.9), and is tied for the conference lead in steals (33) and steals-per-game (2.1).  Since returning from Christmas break, he has 30 assists in four games (7.5 apg).
 
>> Todd Williamson led the Gators with 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Probably the most solid, consistent effort we've had on both ends of the floor all season. That was one of the best defenses in the conference and we scored 83 points with 26 assists. On [defense] we've held the top three scorers in the Empire 8 to 12, 12, and nine in consecutive games.
 
"This is the fruit from the seed these guys have sown in practice since before Christmas break. Since our loss at Keuka we've been different, and no loss, no disappointment, no break has taken these guys off course. This is the Houghton basketball I imagined and it should be just the beginning.
 
"Jajuan Preaster is so tough, and when his jumper is going in, come on. Juan's defense was so focused, his offensive was selective, and his leadership helps us as much as anything. The stats are a nice decoration, but his overall impact cannot be measured.
 
"I'm worried about losing David Rosa to the track & field team at this point. He's so fast and athletic, but big props to our guys for finding him and making some tough passes in transition.
 
"Preston Thomas' growth in decision-making needs to be in lights. He's really applied himself to video and skill work. Today, 16-8-6 with zero turnovers on a lot of paint touches.
 
"Hudson Idzi was a big pick-up for us and he's getting comfortable. Another versatile guy that's just trying to do the right thing consistently. He had some huge buckets, rebounds, and even tap outs today. Another winner making winning plays." –Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Rochester on Tuesday, January 23 to challenge the Nazareth Golden Flyers at 7:30 p.m.