HOUGHTON, NY – The last time the Houghton Highlanders men's basketball team finished the regular season with a winning record Bill Clinton was the president of the United States and at least one of the Highlanders assistant coaches had not yet been born.
 
But tonight the 2024-25 squad wiped the slate clean, securing their 13^th win of the season, 74-73, and a second-consecutive trip to the conference tournament, as a desperation three from the SUNY Geneseo Knights slammed off the backboard as time expired.
 
In one of the most closely contested games of the season, the Highlanders fell behind early, but battled back to take a 38-38 tie into the half.
 
Throughout the second half, neither team led by more than five points at any one time.
 
With less than one minute to play, Geneseo clung to a one-point lead before back-to-back clutch layups by Christian Sage and Jajuan Preaster put Houghton up by three. 
 
With only one second remaining, Geneseo's Michael Gentile hit a layup to pull the Knights within one, and the Highlanders immediately called timeout.  A baseball pass over midcourt appeared to seal the victory, but a travelling call gave the ball back to Geneseo with .3 seconds remaining for one final shot.
 
The Knights successfully inbounded the ball to the offensive corner, but the ensuing three-point attempt clanged off the side of the backboard, giving the Highlanders an historical win.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 74 | Geneseo – 73
Records: Houghton: 13-10 (8-6 Empire 8) | Geneseo: 9-14 (6-8 Empire 8)
Venue: The Nielsen Center, Houghton University | Attendance: 272

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton's 13 overall wins are the most in a season since 1994-95, and their eight conference wins are the most since joining the Empire 8.
 
>> Preaster finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, his second double-double of the season and ninth time this season he has score 20 or more points in a game.
 
>> Preaster now has 1,427 career points, only 54 points behind sixth-place-holder Dylan Lambert ('19).  Preaster is the only player in Houghton men's basketball history to record at least 1,400 points, 500 rebounds (538), 250 assists (255) and 150 steals (153).
 
>> Sage and Lou Bellamy tacked on 17 points apiece.  Sage added four assists and three steals, while Bellamy recorded his eighth double-double of the season, pulling down 12 boards.
 
>> Preston Thomas added 12 points and four assists.
 
>> Josh Garelle led the Knights with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"That game had a tournament feel and our guys played with tournament poise. So appropriate to win a close one like that to actually clinch a tournament spot.
 
"We executed a lot of help rotations and offensive sets when it mattered. Even when we were down out of the gate, I did not see panic. Guys were correctable, engaged, and helped each other stay focused.
 
"I'm so blessed that these originals get to be the team that ended the losing season streak. 30-years is a long time to wait for a winner, but Houghton has one now and God gets the credit for it. He's changed our program by changing our guys, who were willing workers and believed when others didn't. And I don't think He's done changing us.
 
"We've not won a rebound battle in nine games and it felt like Lou Bellamy and Jajuan Preaster made it their personal mission to change that tonight. I love the buckets they gave us, but the boards felt bigger, especially on the defensive end.
 
"Preston Thomas and Christian Sage are known for their outside shot, but the paint points they each provided were game changers late." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center tomorrow for a 4:00 p.m. rematch with the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles.