POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Houghton men's basketball wrapped up its 2024-25 season with a 73-49 loss to Justice University on the final day of the NCCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday.
 
Justice got off to a strong start in the seventh place game, scoring the first nine points of the contest. The Lions defense was all over the floor early, holding Houghton without a field goal for the first six minutes of the game. 

The Justice defense continued to stifle Houghton throughout the first half. The Highlanders would be held to 4-of-26 of shooting for a 15.4% clip as the Lions lead ballooned to 29-16.

The second half would begin with much of the same, as Justice would move the ball well to get a pair of late shot clock field goals. The Lions would increase their lead back to 17 two minutes into the half. 

Houghton was finally able to find a rhythm offensively in the middle of the second half, going on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 37-30. The Highlanders were sparked by the post presence of Jajuan Preaster to bring the deficit as close as it had been since the opening minutes. 

Justice would cruise for the final 10 minutes of the game, continuing to increase their advantage down the stretch.

Preaster finished with a team-high 16 points and wrapped up his Highlander career with 1,545 points to finish fifth in Houghton history. Lou Bellamy added 10 and nine rebounds. Jair Bialek chipped in six points off the bench. 

Houghton finished the season 13-16, producing the most wins in a season since 1994-95. This was their second ever appearance at the national tournament (1982-83).