HOUGHTON, NY – A trio of Houghton players topped the 20-point mark, as the Highlanders pulled away from the visiting Grove City Wolverines in the second-half, picking up their second win of the season, 91-80.
 
Lou Bellamy (23 points), Tyson Clark (22 points), and Donovan Loudermill (20 points) led the way for the Highlanders, as they deflected and responded to every Grove City challenge throughout the second half. 
 
At least three separate times in the final 20 minutes the Wolverines clawed back from a double-digit deficit to within four points, only to see the Highlanders respond with a run that built the lead back to where it was.
 
While the Highlanders outshot the Grove City both overall, and from beyond the three-point arc, the real damage came at the free-throw line.  The Wolverines hit only 8-of-12 shots from the charity stripe, while Houghton capitalized on 25 Grove City personal fouls, sinking 31-of-34 shots (91.4 percent) from the line.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 91 | Grove City – 80
Records: Houghton: 2-5 |Grove City: 2-6
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 132

NOTABLE STATS
>> Bellamy picked up his fourth double-double (third in a row), and narrowly missed his first triple-double, logging 23 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists.  He is currently averaging 19.4 ppg and 10.4 rpg.
 
>> The Highlanders shot over 90 percent from the line twice last season, and once in 2023-24, but never hit more than 10 free throws in any of those games.
 
>> Kyle Randall led a Wolverines attack to subbed continuously with 19 points, hitting 7-of-16 from the field and 4-of-8 from long distance.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"That's as good as a win as we've enjoyed since I arrived. We've never beaten [Grove City] before and only been within 10 points once.
 
"Coach Lamie has incredible guys that defend physically and in a very disciplined manner. Then, they go down and execute precisely, like surgeons, on offense.
 
"Our guys matched that discipline, hit some huge shots, adjusted to their offense, and grabbed some monumental rebounds late against the second-best rebounding team in the nation. This is what we've been growing toward, but I don't believe we're done growing.
 
"Lou Bellamy is so much more than an All-Conference and All-Region player. He is a leader who really bought in to this Advent message of peace this week. He calmed us during Grove City's runs, fought with his mind and his body, and hit clutch free throws. The guys lean on him a lot. I do too. His shoulders are broad enough to take it.
 
"Tyson Clark continues to pull out better and better games. 22 points on six shots! Nine-for-nine from the line! From a freshman! And he's one of the best defenders we have. I love having him in purple and gold.
 
"Donovan Loudermill is taking leaps in his ability to read the game. His second half was so strong. Six-for-six from the line in crunch time as well.
 
"Jake Verschoyle played such a patient, strong game. We needed his physical maturity, and he picked his spots well. He's a captain for us this season and he fulfilled that role in spades tonight." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this Friday, when they will host the Fredonia State Blue Devils at 7:00 p.m.  Fredonia State claimed the last matchup between the two teams, 87-74, on January 4, 2025.