LEWISTON, NY – A fast start by the Niagara Purple Eagles propelled them past the visiting Houghton Highlanders on Saturday afternoon, 81-59.
 
While Division I Niagara counted the competition as an official contest, because of the difference in classification, Division III Houghton listed it as an exhibition match.

The Purple Eagles scored the first 14 points of the game, led 32-8 with seven minutes to play in the first half, and entered the locker room at the half leading by 21 points, 41-20.
 
While Houghton would show flashes of a comeback in the second half, even pulling with 12 points on a Jake Verschoyle layup with 8:33 left to play, they would never come closer.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 58 | Niagara – 81 
Records: Houghton: 3-5 |Niagara: 3-9 
Venue: Gallagher Center, Niagara University | Attendance: 659

NOTABLE STATS
>> Lou Bellamy led all scorers with 21 points, going 8-for-16 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the line.  He also added five assists and four steals.
 
>> Tyson Clark continued his run of consistent efficiency, shooting 7-for-11 from the field for 14 points, while adding four assists.  Clark is currently shooting 62 percent from the field and averaging 14.8 points per game.
 
>> Donovan Loudermill added 11 points and five rebounds for the Highlanders.
 
>> Justin Hawkins and Brian Griffith led the Purple Eagles with 16 and 14 points apiece, respectively.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Credit to Niagara for taking us out of our stuff early. Their ball pressure and physicality stopped us from executing and built the cushion they needed in the first handful of minutes.
 
"I was really happy with how our team settled down and chipped away. We got a lot accomplished on both ends of the floor and can carry that momentum into the second semester.
 
"Lou [Bellamy] showed why he is such an offensive threat. Against D1 defenders he executed at a high level. 21 points and five assists shows why we love having the ball in his hands.
 
"Donovan Loudermill and Tyson Clark were so solid and continue to mature quickly. They both found big buckets in the second half to keep the pressure on Niagara. I'm looking forward to what they'll be by the end of the year too." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Bethany, West Virginia on January 3^rd, for a dustup with Bethany College at 3:00 p.m.  The Bison outpace the Highlanders last year, in Houghton, 108-92.