HOUGHTON, NY— The Houghton Highlanders watched a double-digit second half lead evaporate into the thin air of the Nielsen Center Thursday night, as the Keuka Wolves stormed back to stun the Houghton faithful, 92-71.
 
The Highlanders went into the half up, 39-31, following a three-pointer from Trey Flatt that capped an 8-0 Houghton run.
 
Houghton looked like they would build on that momentum early in the second half after Flatt nailed another three to put the Highlanders up by 10 with 18:30 left to play.
 
That boost would prove short-lived, as Houghton would commit eight turnovers in their next 10 possessions, while the Wolves railed out an 18-0 run.
 
Following another three from Flatt, Keuka clipped off a second run, this time 12-0, putting the Wolves up by 17 points.
 
Houghton would eventually trim the deficit to 12 with just over 10 minutes to play, but that would be as close as they would come the rest of the way.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 71 | Keuka – 92
Records: Houghton: 5-13 (3-6 Empire 8) | Keuka: 7-8 (5-3 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 235

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Wolves scored 61 total points in the second half, shooting 61 percent from the floor, 57 percent from long range, and 82 percent from the line. 
 
>> The Highlanders actually shot three percentage points higher (41-to-44 percent) in the second half than they did in the first, but hit four fewer shots, thanks primarily to 17 second-half turnovers. 
 
>> Flatt finished with a team-high 17 points, while David Rosa picked up his first double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and pulling down 13 boards. 
 
>> James Wang hit 4-of-5 from beyond the arc, finishing with 12 points, while Preston Thomas added 11 points and six assists.
 
>> Alijah Ellis led the Wolves with 18 points and six assists.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"A lot of credit to Keuka for turning up the pressure on both ends in the second half. We didn't respond with poise and it resulted in a lot of giveaways, which turned into points and momentum.
 
"We'll watch video. We'll get better at making reads and closing gaps on defense. I know our leadership is improving too. Just need to be better at stopping opponent momentum and creating more of our own. Consistency is key." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Utica on Saturday for a matchup with the conference-leading Utica University Pioneers at 4:00 p.m.  The Pioneers defeated the Highlanders earlier this season in Houghton, 91-74.