ALFRED, NY— With the scored tied, 56-56, and only eight second left on the clock, Alfred University's Tyler Hind went coast-to-coast, splitting a pair of defenders inside the arc before draining a layup with one second left as the Saxons defeated the Houghton Highlanders, 58-56.
 
After trailing by six at the half, 23-29, Houghton bounced back, taking the lead less than thee-and-a-half minutes into the second half.
 
As the game reached its closing minutes, the Highlanders stretched their lead to seven points on a three from Hudson Idzi. 
 
With three minutes to play Houghton still led by six, but an Alfred three pointer and three free throws tied the game with only 56 seconds left on the clock.
 
A layup by Trey Flatt put the Highlanders back up by two, but Hind quickly answered with a lay-in of his own to tie the game again, 56-56, with 19 seconds to play.
 
Houghton's Jajuan Preaster drove the lane, kicked it out to Preston Thomas who took the ball to the rack, where he met two Alfred defenders.  Thomas slipped a pass to David Rosa under the basket, who laid it in, but the basket was waived off and Thomas was called for an offensive foul, giving the Saxons the ball with seven seconds remaining, enough for Hind to score the game winner in dramatic fashion.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 56 | Alfred – 58
Records: Houghton: 6-15 (4-8 Empire 8) | Alfred: 9-12 (6-6 Empire 8)
Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred University| Attendance: 360

NOTABLE STATS
>> The Saxons maintained a 50-36 advantage in rebounds, thanks in large part to 20 rebounds from Franlys Valenzuela.  Houghton won the battle of turnovers, 25-14, including 17 by steal, six of which came from Flatt.
 
>> In addition to Flatt's six steals, he also led the Highlanders in scoring with 16 points.  Preston Thomas chipped in 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while David Rosa scored 13 points, grabbed six boards and three steals.
 
>> Adam Enders led the Saxons with 14 points, while Valenzuela completed the double-double with 12 points.
 
COCH'S CORNER
"This one hurts, and it's on me. The guys defended so well tonight and made some big plays in a tournament-type atmosphere. I have to get them into better positions offensively against a tough defense like Alfred's and direct the end of game better.
 
"What I really appreciate about this crew is that tonight did not break us. It could have, but I saw a resolute team in the locker room afterward. We'll learn from it and be better the next time we find ourselves in that spot." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Thursday for a matchup with the St. John Fisher Cardinals at 7:30 p.m.