HOUGHTON, NY – An 18-1 run over a four-minute stretch late in the second half by the St. John Fisher Cardinals gave them a come-from-behind victory over the Houghton Highlanders, 87-80.
 
After trailing by only two at the half, Houghton battled the Cardinals throughout most of the second half, exchanging leads seven times, until back-to-back layups by Jake Verschoyle put the Highlanders up by five with 7:43 to play.
 
A three-pointer by Maxwell Schneider kicked off the big Cardinals run, during which they would nail seven straight shots, including four three-pointers.
 
Trailing by 12 with just over three minutes to play, the Highlanders started to battle back.  Consecutive threes by Evan Griffin, Tyson Clark, and Griffin again, pulled Houghton back within three points with 39 ticks remaining on the clock.
 
That, however, would be where the Houghton luck would run out, as Fisher—a team that entered tonight's contest shooting only 55 percent from the free throw line—would knock down 7-of-10 in the final seconds (and 76 percent, total, for the game).
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 80 | St. John Fisher – 87
Records: Houghton: 3-10 (0-4 Empire 8) |St. John Fisher: 7-6 (3-1 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center at Houghton University | Attendance: 215

NOTABLE STATS
>> Clark led all scorers with 24 points, sinking 3-of-5 long range shots, and 9-of-9 from the line.  He also grabbed seven rebounds.  The freshman guard has now reached double-digit points in eight consecutive games, and 11 times overall.
 
>> Lou Bellamy posted 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.  He has scored in double digits in all but one game this season, and has accumulated seven double-doubles.
 
>> Evan Griffin crushed his previous career-high of six points, tossing in 18 for the game, while Verschoyle added 11.
 
>> Giovanni Schillaci knocked down all four shots he took from the field for the Cardinals—all three-pointers, and went 4-for-4 from the line, for a team-high 16 points.  He also added four assists.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"It just hurts more and more. I have a lot of guys in the locker room that are feeling the sting. We did a lot of things well tonight again despite being without our two starting guards and our backup big again.

"We fought back from the early deficit and took the lead. Then, as has happened in seven of our 10 losses, we could not execute at either end to protect or extend that lead.

"We'll continue to work on becoming more consistent. I know the guys aren't done. We're not quitting. We will find solutions. I have not lost my faith in this group and what they can be.
 
"Lou Bellamy with another double-double and Tyson Clark with another big second half on his way to 24 points on 13 shots. It is becoming normal when it really is not normal.
 
"I love what Evan Griffin contributed tonight off the bench. His shot-making ability was on full display, especially late when we were trying to come back. Yet, he had some even bigger rebounds to close out defensive possessions. He is growing a lot." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Albany on Friday to take on the Russell Sage Gators at 7:30 p.m.