ONEONTA, N.Y. – Tyson Clark sank a pair of free throws with four seconds left on the clock to lift the Houghton Highlander past the Hartwick Hawks, 75-73.  The victory snapped a six-game losing skid by the Highlanders and gave them their first Empire 8 victory of the season.
 
After Lou Bellamy hit a layup just over a minute into the game to tie the score, 2-2, the Highlanders would trail for the remainder of the first half, falling behind by as many as 10 within the first five minutes, and still trailing by 10 with less than six minutes to play before the break.
 
But slowly the Highlanders began to chip away. 
 
At the half, the Hawks led by only four, 35-31. And just over a minute into the second half, Clark hit a three that gave the Highlanders their first lead of the game.
 
Over the next 18-plus minutes, the game would stand tied nine times, and experience nine different lead changes.
 
Finally, with less than a minute to play, Hartwick's Lucas Robby hit a layup that put the Hawks up by two.
 
Twenty seconds later, Clark hit a jumper in the lane that tied the score, 73-73.
 
A Houghton foul sent the Hawks to the line with 34 seconds remaining on the clock, but Hartwick missed the first shot of a one-and-one and Hudson Idzi quickly grabbed the defensive rebound.
 
With only four seconds left, Clark drove the lane and drew the foul, sending him to the line for the eventually game winners.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 75 | Hartwick – 73
Records: Houghton: 4-11 (1-5 Empire 8) | Hartwick: 7-8 (1-5 Empire 8)
Venue: Lambros Arena, Hartwick College | Attendance: 102

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton has now defeated Hartwick in each of the last four matchups.  The last three of which have all been decided by five points or less.
 
>> Lou Bellamy turned in a game-high 30 points, his second-highest total of the season, and grabbed 11 rebounds.  He has scored in double digits in all but one game this season, and has accumulated eight double-doubles.
 
>> Clark finished with 22 points, the fourth time this season he has scored at least 20 points in a game.
 
>> Evan Griffin finished with 11 points and five boards off the bench for the Highlanders.
 
>> Robby led the Hawks with 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I don't have enough time or words to describe the heart and soul of this team. Several guys injured. Hudson [Idzi] and Lou [Bellamy] even got hurt in-game but stayed in. Just lost by 39 in a game where we could not make shots or get stops the night before and then we scrap to nab that win on the road. I love these guys and we're not done!
 
"Lou Bellamy picked a great game to have a great game. One of the best he's had as a Highlander (and he's had many) when we needed it the most. Making shots, rebounding, communicating, helping on defense. He's our leader and he led us today.
 
"Some absolutely huge shots from Tyson [Clark] leading up to those clutch free throws to win it after a game when he struggled. He's a hooper who is unfazed by the moment."
 
"Jake Verschoyle contributed in so many ways that are hard to see in the stats. He held their top shooter to five points, had a huge pick-six steal/bucket, and grabbed big boards at crucial times."
 
"Evan Griffin got hot, like we know he can. Once the defense got focused on Lou and Tyson, there's Evan at the rim getting big points." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this upcoming Friday, January 23, when they will take on the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles at 7:30 p.m.