HOUGHTON, NY – With 22 seconds remaining on the clock, Jajuan Preaster drove toward the left block, then kicked the ball out to the top of the key, where Preston Thomas drilled a go-ahead three in what would be the eventual game-winner, lifting the Houghton Highlanders past the Case Western Reserve Spartans, 80-75.
 
Fresh off a 2023-24 season that saw the Spartans finish 23-5, make it to the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16, and finish with a #11 ranking in the country, Case Western was pre-season "Receiving Votes" and had a Massey rating of #13 heading into tonight's showdown.
 
After a neck-and-neck first half, the Spartans pulled away in the final minute to take a five-point lead into the locker room, 39-35.
 
In the opening minutes of the second half, Case Western put on an offensive display, showing why they have earned the prestige they have. 
 
Just 6:29 int the second half, the Spartans led by 18.  Then the miraculous happened.
 
Over the next five minutes, the Highlanders outscored the Spartans, 17-2, cutting the differential to only three points. 
 
Following a brief back-and-forth, Christian Sage completed a three-point play, pulling Houghton within one with only 1:49 to go.  After Thomas' three gave the Highlanders their first lead of the half, Sage and Thomas would both ice a pair of free throws in the waning seconds to give Houghton an historic win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 80 | Case Western – 75
Records: Houghton: 2-1 |Case Western: 3-1
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 206

NOTABLE STATS
>> Coming in to today's game, Case Western had won 34 consecutive non-conference regular seson games, a streak dating back to the 2021-22 season.

>> While Case Western won the battle of the turnovers (9-to-17), they shot only 36 percent from the floor, while Houghton hit 46 percent of their shots, including 55 percent in the second half.  The Highlanders also out-rebounded the Spartans, 46-40.
 
>> Preaster posted a game-high, and season-best, 29 points, knocking down 12-of-20 shots and hit a perfect 5-for-5 from the line.  He also corralled six rebounds and two steals.  Preaster currently leads the team in scoring with 22.3 points per game.  Prior to tonight's game, Preaster needed 28 points to move into the top-10 scorers in Houghton history.  He now has 1,137 and ranks 10^th on the list.
 
>> Sage finished with 19 points, 16 of which came in the second half, six rebounds and three assists, while Thomas tallied 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.  Sage has committed only two turnovers through the first three games, both in the first game of the season.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"There was a lot of belief in Nielsen today, but it did not start today. Each of the special guys in white jerseys and their coaches bought into this vision, committed to working toward it, and did not doubt, even when down 18 to a perennial NCAA tourney team.

"We've had so much support from President Lewis, the board of trustees, my AD Matt Webb, the trainers, faculty and staff, The Den, our alumni, and this community. You know that helps you keep going when it may seem like things aren't changing fast enough. Our guys stayed the course and ate the fruit of their labors today. To come back from down 18 to a team of that caliber is one of the most amazing comebacks I've been a part of in my 30 years of coaching. A lot of credit to my assistants that handle the scout - Damion Witty and Titus Ahrens - and the scout team that prepped our guys. The game plan was created and executed so well.
 
"How appropriate is it that Jajuan Preaster moved into the top 10 scoring list for Houghton hoopers tonight? He was nails. The guts and accuracy to not only call that play (and he was the one who called it) and complete the pass through a double team. I love Juan and what he is becoming as a player and person. He led us, he carried us, and he also trusted all of us. That's what great players do.
 
"Christian Sage is a gamer. I've been on the wrong end of that before. Today I was able to witness it and enjoy it. Clutch play after clutch play. No turnovers in 37 minutes against a program like that when you're coming from behind? Incredible performance by him. This is why he came and why we wanted him. He is a contagious believer and winner.
 
"Preston Thomas had just airballed a free throw. If anything epitomizes him following and believing in our 'next play' mentality, it was that. But, in addition to that, on the game winning play, we had him run a spot he normally does not start in. He trusted us, executed a complicated play from a different location than he is used too, AND made the three! I'm so blessed to coach guys like him that handle failure and success maturely. He did both today." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Wednesday, November 20, when they will host the Hilbert Hawks at 7:30 p.m.