HOUGHTON, NY— Jajuan Preaster joined the Houghton Highlander 1,000 point club on Saturday evening, sinking a pair of free throws to close out the first half to become the 26^th men's player to accomplish the feat.  The Highlanders, however, could not overcome the Empire 8-frontrunning Nazareth Golden Flyers, who defeated Houghton, 80-69.    
 
An early 14-0 run by the Golden Flyers established a precedent that proved impossible to overcome.  While Houghton battled back to within six points, the Golden Flyers responded with another run and entered the half up by 15 points, 48-33.
 
Nazareth maintained at least a double-digit lead throughout the entire second half, eventually leading by as many as 23 points with just over 3:30 to go.
 
Houghton would finish the game on a 12-0 run, but the hole would prove too deep to climb out of, as the Golden Flyers improved to 14-1 in the conference.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 69 | Nazareth – 80
Records: Houghton: 6-17 (4-10 Empire 8) | Nazareth: 18-6 (14-1 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 457

NOTABLE STATS
>> Nazareth knocked down 48 percent of their shots (13-of-27) from beyond the arc, including 9-of-18 in the first half, while sinking 100 percent (7-of-7) of their free throws.
 
>> Preaster went 11-for-12 from the free throw line, scoring a total of 22 points, while also pulling down six rebounds and dishing out a team-high five assists.  He has scored at least 20 points in a game eight times this season, and now has 1,011 points for his career.
 
>> Trey Flatt scored 14 points and dished out four assists, while Preston Thomas scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds.  Luke Cole added seven points, 10 rebounds and four assists, while not committing a single turnover.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I thought we showed great fight today and some of the most composed basketball we've played against top competition. There were two runs, one in each half, for Nazareth that proved to be difference makers, but outside of those we were there with them possession by possession. I like where we are heading down the stretch. We still have a chance to make the conference tournament and need to have our best week this week to do so.
 
"I'm so happy for Jajuan Preaster. [Scoring] 1000 [points] is no small accomplishment in a lot of ways. The work he has put into basketball, his mental game, leadership, etc. is why we have a chance to make the postseason. The guys follow him and Jajuan makes them better.
 
"Trey Flatt and Preston Thomas continue to compliment what Jajuan does offensively, but what they do defensively is more crucial for us and, if no one else notices, I do. I appreciate it a lot! They've developed into solid stoppers." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders will spend their final two regular season games on the road, first travelling to Oneonta on Wednesday to take on the Hartwick Hawks at 7:30 p.m., then closing out the regular season in Albany, where they will play the Russell Sage Gators on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.