HOUGHTON, NY – An nine-point run midway through the second half separated the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford Panthers from the Houghton Highlanders, as the Panthers defeated the Highlanders in the season-opener for both teams, 116-106.
 
Separated by only two points at the half (61-to-59), the teams remained neck-and-neck throughout the opening minutes of the second half.
 
With 11:45 left on the clock, and the Panthers clinging to a slim, 83-82, lead, a free-throw by Nadier Starks kicked off a nine-point run that put Pitt-Brad up by 10 points with 10 minutes to play.
 
The two teams would play evenly throughout the final minutes, as the Panthers never led by more than 14, and the Highlanders never trailed by less than eight.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 106 | Pitt-Bradford – 116
Records: Houghton: 0-1 |Pitt-Bradford: 1-0
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 435

NOTABLE STATS
>> Lou Bellamy finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds, knocking down 7-of-11 from the field and 16-of-19 from the line.  He tied Yannick Anzuluni (2006-10) for the second-most free throws made in a game in Houghton men's basketball history.
 
>> In his first collegiate game, Manos Manolopoulos collected 23 points, hitting a perfect 11-for-11 at the charity stripe. 
 
>> Jake Verschoyle and Tyson Clark chipped in 19 and 16 points apiece, respectively.
 
>> The Highlanders set a new record for the most free throws made in a game (41), breaking the previous record (39), set on February 6, 2016 against Utica. 
 
>> Houghton's 52 attempted free throws are the second-most in Highlanders history, as is their 63.3%  field goal percentage.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Our theme for the year is 'grow,' and we definitely played the Panthers better this year than we did last year. Our turnovers and some defensive breakdowns cost us this one.
 
"Shooting 63% from the field, getting to the line 52 times, and seeing our freshmen come out ready to play were big positives.
 
"Lou Bellamy gave us what we know he's capable of. Scored it, boarded, and led us throughout the game. He's going to be tough to handle for a lot of teams.
 
"Our freshmen (Manos and Tyson) showed they were ready for the bright lights. Manos turned it over a bit too much early but figured things out fast and provided us a lot on both ends. Tyson Clark is mature beyond his years. He has great feel and defends hard. Highlander fans will enjoy watching them both this year and beyond." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Cleveland tomorrow for a rematch of last November's thriller in the Nielsen Center against the Case Western Reserve Spartans at 7:00 p.m.