CLEVELAND, OH – The Case Western Spartans jumped out to sizable lead early-on and never allowed the Houghton Highlanders to claw back into contention, defeating the Highlanders, 99-79.
 
The Spartans clicked from long range early in the first half, converting 9-of-20 three-point shots in the first half while jumping out to a 20-point lead at the 10-minute mark thanks to a 15-2 run.
 
Houghton would pull back to within 11 five minutes later following a pair of free throws by Emmanouil Manolopoulos, but would enter the half down by 17 points. 
 
While the Highlanders played near-evenly in the second half, thanks in part to an 18-5 run over the closing minutes, they could not close the gap created in the first half, as the Spartans picked up their first win of the year.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 79 | Case Western – 99
Records: Houghton: 0-2 |Case Western: 1-0
Venue: Horsburgh Gymnasium (Veale Center), Case Western Reserve University | Attendance: 253

NOTABLE STATS
>> Manolopoulos and Lou Bellamy led the Highlanders with 15 points apiece, while Donovan Loudermill chipped in 11 points and six rebounds.
 
>> The Highlanders committed only eight turnovers on the night, and the Spartans gave the ball away only nine times. 
 
>> Case Western dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Highlanders, 52-29.  The disparity was even greater on the offensive glass, as the Spartans held a 16-3 advantage.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return the Nielsen Center on Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. when they will take on the Alfred State Pioneers.