POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Houghton had the tough task of taking on the host school College of the Ozarks on Day 2 of the 2025 NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The Highlanders lost 78-70 in a closely contested contest.

College of the Ozarks got off to a fast start, taking an 11-4 lead five minutes into the game. Garrett Snyder and DJ Quarles scored all 11 points, combining for three makes from behind the arc. Of the first 11 field goals made between the two sides, eight came from behind the arc with both sides hitting their stride offensively. Houghton would respond to lead 17-16 at the first media timeout. The lead would change a total of nine times in the first half with the two sides tied at 33 going into halftime. Ozarks was able to get to the line 11 times and hit all 11 free throws, while Houghton went 7-of-16 from behind the arc to stay in the game, led by James Wang, who was 3 for 3 from long range in the opening 20 minutes.

Through the first 10 minutes of the second half, neither side could gain a lead larger than four points. Ozarks would force the 16^th lead change with 5:03 to play. Following the lead change, Ozarks would record a massive and-one to go up 67-63 with 4:37 to play. 

Houghton was able to cut it to one on a Jajuan Preaster layup, but Ozarks saw Garrett Snyder step up once again, hitting a three that made it a two-possession game in the final minute to help the Bobcats secure a 78-70 win and advance to tomorrow's fifth place game. 

Preaster led the way for the Highlanders with 17 points, while Christian Sage added 16 and Wang finished with 12 points on a perfect 4 for 4 showing from three-point land.

Ozarks finished 25 for 27 from the charity stripe.

Houghton will now take on #8 seed Justice University in the seventh place game on Friday at 4 p.m. Eastern.

Teams in the 2025 Division I Men's Basketball National Championship and third place game will get a day off tomorrow. The seventh and fifth place games will be played tomorrow starting at 3 p.m. CT. For more information on all the action, visit the link here.