ALFRED, NY— With 30 second remaining on the clock, and the game knotted, 58-58, Jajuan Preaster received the inbounds pass at the top of the key, beat his defender with a crossover dribble, took one hop into the paint and elevated. 
 
Preaster slammed home a two-handed dunk that gave the Houghton Highlanders the lead and proved to be the eventual game-winner, as they defeated their Empire 8 rival Alfred Saxons, 62-59.
 
After trailing by three at the half, Houghton lagged behind by six with only five minutes to play.  A three-pointer by Lou Bellamy kick-started the Highlanders comeback, and with 2:33 remaining, Preaster tied the game with a layup, 56-56.
 
The team's traded points until Preaster's dramatic slam and a defensive stop gave the Highlanders control of the game.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 62 | Alfred – 59
Records: Houghton: 10-8 (5-4 Empire 8) | Alfred: 8-10 (4-5 Empire 8)
Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred University| Attendance: 332

NOTABLE STATS
>> The last time the Houghton men had 10 wins in a season was 2016-17, when they finished 10-15.
 
>> The last three games between the Highlanders and Saxons have all been decided by three points or less.  Alfred won the last matchup, and Houghton won the other two.
 
>> Preaster finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists.  On the Highlanders' career leader board, he now ranks eighth in points (1,348), sixth in assists (242), fourth in steals (142), and sixth in field goals (570).
 
>> Bellamy collected 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists.  He has scored in double-digits in each of the last four games and 14 times total this season.
 
>> Tyler Curran posted a game-high 25 points for the Saxons, finishing 9-of-17 from the field on the night.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Wow! The last few games with our rival have been tight and this one was no different.
 
"I'm incredibly impressed in the transformation of our overall attitudes and demeanor from Saturday to tonight. The guys were composed and communicating during adversity, which led to stops, plus great offensive execution late. Last year we struggled to close it out here. Tonight, we did.
 
"That dunk from Jajuan Preaster to take the lead? Yikes! He's a man and attacked the rim fearlessly. Credit to our guys on executing a sight unseen play to get him the ball too.
 
"Lou Bellamy had one of those steady, solid nights. I challenged him on grabbing boards late and he did, but his effectiveness inside kept us in it during the first half." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this Friday, when they will host the Hartwick Hawks at 7:30 p.m.