ALBANY, NY— Kyle Dhu and Khalel Noteman combined for 42 points as the Russell Sage Gators employed a smothering full-court, high-pressure defense, defeating the visiting Houghton Highlanders, 97-54.
 
The Gators forced 20 turnovers and limited Houghton to a season-low 27 percent shooting from the floor in route to their 12^th victory of the season. 
 
Sage grabbed their first double-digit lead midway through the first half, and while Houghton battled back to within six with 3:22 to go before the break, the Gators rebuilt their lead to 12 before heading to the locker room.
 
A 13-0 Sage run over a two-minute period near the midway point in the second half all but put the nail in the coffin.  From that point on, Houghton would come no closer than 17 points.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 59 | Russell Sage – 97
Records: Houghton: 3-11 (0-5 Empire 8) | Russell Sage: 12-2 (4-1 Empire 8)
Venue: Kahl Gymnasium, Russell Sage Colleges| Attendance: 215

NOTABLE STATS
>> Jake Verschoyle led the Highlanders with 16 points, while Lou Bellamy chipped in 16 points and nine rebounds. 
 
>> Tyson Clark scored 10 points and dished out five assists, and Zach Sisson added 10 points.
 
>> Dhu and Noteman scored 22 and 20 points apiece, respectively, while Brandon Harris collected 18 points and six assists.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"This may be our low point in the valley. We're struggling to make shots, turning it over consistently, and back to being outrebounded.

"We gave Sage 38 possessions tonight between the turnovers and offensive boards. They're the third-best rebounding team in the country, but we need to put up more of a fight in that category. Part of the turnover issue is being without our point guards, yet we can make better decisions too. 
 
"It's a long season. Lots of hoops left. These guys are resilient. I believe it will click and we'll get healthy. We'll see a difference. Could be tomorrow at Hartwick."

UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Oneonta tomorrow to take on the Hartwick Hawks at 4:00 p.m.