MORRISVILLE, NY – After overcoming a large second-half deficit and eventually taking the lead, the Houghton Highlanders watched the game slip through their hands, as the SUNY Morrisville Mustangs picked up their first win of the season, 80-72.
 
Early in the second half, a three-point play put Morrisville up by 12 points.  But a three by Tyson Clark kicked off a 9-0 Houghton run, pulling the Highlanders within three.
 
The game then seesawed over the next several minutes, until James Wang and Lou Bellamy hit back-to-back shots to pull Houghton ahead by a point.
 
That lead, however, would be short-lived, as Morrisville quickly stormed back, building a 10-point lead with 3:32 to go, and Houghton would not pull closer than six points in the closing minutes.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 72 | SUNY Morrisville – 80
Records: Houghton: 1-5 | SUNY Morrisville: 1-2
Venue: John W. Stewart Center for Student Activities | Attendance: 157

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton committed 18 turnovers, 10 of which came by steal, while the Mustangs gave the ball away only nine times.
 
>> Tyson Clark posted a career-best 25 points, knocking down 9-of-12 from the field, and 5-of-7 from the line, while also grabbing eight rebounds.
 
>> Lou Bellamy picked up his third double-double of the season, collecting 14 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.  Jake Verschoyle added 16 points and five rebounds.
 
>> Avion Granger led the Mustangs with 20 points, going 5-for-10 from the floor, and 10-for-12 from the line.    
 
COACH'S CORNER
"After a shaky first half our guys really turned it around. Coming back from double digits down on the road shows what we have.

"We won the board battle for the first time this season tonight against an athletic and physical team. Unfortunately, we had another 18 turnover outing, which likely cost us the game.

"The guys care. You would have thought our season ended with how disappointed they were in the locker room. I believe they'll be even better in December.
 
"Tyson Clark was hitting huge shots throughout the game, but especially when our offense was struggling. He has great feel and is starting to rebound really well too." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Saturday, December 6, when they will host the Redeemer University College (Canada) Royals in the back end of a women's-men's doubleheader.  The men are scheduled to tip-off at 4:00 p.m.