HOUGHTON, NY – After clawing back from a double-digit deficit to take a lead late in the game, the Houghton Highlanders watched another one slip through their fingers, falling to the SUNY Geneseo Knights in heartbreaking fashion, 79-75.
 
Geneseo led by 11 points at the half, and seemed to have a firm command of the driver's seat, eventually building their lead to as many as 14 points with just over 13 minutes remaining in the game. 
 
But a 19-2 Houghton run not only erased the deficit, but put the Highlanders up, 63-59, with eight minutes remaining on the clock.
 
Over the next several minutes the teams would trade baskets, until the Knights Robert Pericolosi hit back-to-back layups, giving Geneseo a four-point advantage.
 
While the Highlanders would close to within two, and had a chance to take tie or take the lead in the waning seconds, they could complete the comeback.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 75 |Geneseo  – 79
Records: Houghton: 4-13 (1-7 Empire 8) |Geneseo: 10-7 (6-2 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center at Houghton University| Attendance: 310

NOTABLE STATS
>> While the Highlanders held higher percentages in overall shooting, three-point shooting, and free-throw shooting, the Knights maintained a 17-to-7 advantage in offensive rebounds, and a 10-to-19 advantage in turnovers.
 
>> Lou Bellamy scored 22 points and dished out four assists, while Tyson Clark compiled 16 points, five assists and two steals.
 
>> Jake Verschoyle added 11 points, and Emmanouil Manolopolous chipped in nine points and four assists.
 
>> Josh Garelle led the Knights with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, hitting 10-of-15 shots.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"No one is going to hand you a game in this conference. You have to take it from your opponent.
 
"I felt like we were trying to wrestle this game away from Geneseo that entire second half. Unfortunately, they grabbed just enough offensive rebounds and our turnovers to hang on.
 
"I'm proud that we answered a disappointing half with those last 20 minutes. We're closing in on winning. How many possessions we take and how few we give up will determine when we get across that finish line." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center on Tuesday, January 27 for another Empire 8 matchup with the Alfred University Saxons at 7:30 p.m.