BUFFALO, NY – Despite a furious comeback by the Buffalo State Bengals, the Houghton Highlanders hung on to pick up their fifth in of the season on Tuesday night, 83-81.
 
The Highlanders led by as many as 14 points with less than eight minutes to play in the game, but over the next six minutes the Bengals would outscore the visitors, 21-8, trimming the Houghton lead to a single point.
 
A three-pointer by Trey Flatt with 1:32 to play gave the Highlanders some breathing room, but a layup by Buffalo State's Matt Parkinson pulled the Bengals back within two with 1:07 to play.
 
Neither team capitalized on opportunities to score over the ensuing possessions, and after Houghton missed a free throw with 19 seconds to play, the Bengals grabbed the rebound, crossed half court and called time out.
 
Once again Buffalo State missed a shot to tie the game and Houghton grabbed the rebound.  A foul sent the Highlanders to the line again, and again they missed, giving the Bengals one last desperation heave from mid-court.
 
The long-distance shot missed the mark, allowing the Highlanders to escape with the win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 83 | Buffalo State – 81
Records: Houghton: 5-2 |Buffalo State: 2-4
Venue: Buffalo Sports Arena, Buffalo State University | Attendance: 200

NOTABLE STATS
>> Lou Bellamy scored 23 points and grabbed nine boards to lead the Highlanders.  The reigning Empire 8 Player of the Week has scored at least 20 points in each of the last four games.
 
>> Christian Sage finished with 19 points, knocking down 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, while Jajuan Preaster collected 11 points and six rebounds.  Preaster went over the 1,200 career points mark (1,201) and currently ranks ninth in all-time scoring.  He now needs only 20 points to pass Yannick Anzuluni (2006-10) for eighth place.
 
>> Bryce Williams led the Bengals with 15 points, seven assists and three steals.
 
>> The Highlanders 5-2 record is their best start, through the first seven games of the season, since joining the NCAA in 2012-13.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Good teams find a way, and I think this group is distinguishing themselves as a good team. We had a rough stretch near the end, but instead of finding a way to lose, we found a way to win. Our execution up until that rough patch was some of the best we've had all season.
 
"Trey Flatt is such a gamer. He's been that since I first saw him play in high school. Big three after big three. Up one, we ran an action we thought would either free up Lou or free up Trey. The defense went with Lou and Trey hit it. Even bigger was his one-on-one stop on the other end. Winner." –Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Fredonia on Tuesday, December 3^rd to take on the Fredonia State Blue Devils at 7:00 p.m. Houghton lost to Fredonia last season, 79-69.