HOUGHTON, NY – Lou Bellamy hit a pair of free throws with 12 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Houghton Highlanders a three-point lead, as they defeated the visiting Alfred Saxons in a barn-burner, 97-94.
 
The Highlanders led by 20 at the half, and still led by 20 with less than nine minutes to play in the game.  But the Saxons slowly began to close the gap.
 
With 4:36 remaining, Houghton still had a sizable 15 point advantage, but Alfred continued to whittle away, and with less than one second remaining, Zion Baitey sank a reverse layup to send the game to overtime.
 
The two teams traded leads five times in the extra period, until, with 2:38 on the clock, Emmanouil Manolopoulos drained a three, and Bellamy completed a three-point play that put the Highlanders up for good.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 97 | Alfred – 94 (OT)
Records: Houghton: 5-13 (2-7 Empire 8) |Alfred: 3-15 (0-9 Empire 8)
Venue: Dix Family Court, The Nielsen Center at Houghton University | Attendance: 212

NOTABLE STATS
>> While the Highlanders maintained higher shooting percentages in all three major categories, they committed more turnovers (19-to-15) and lost the offensive rebound battle (18-to-10).
 
>> Bellamy finished with a season-high 33 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, posting his 10^th double-double of the season.  He has now topped 30 points in a game three times this season.
 
>> Jake Verschoyle scored 30 points and collected eight rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals.  This is the first time that two Highlanders have scored 30 or more points in a game since moving to NCAA Division III.
 
>> Manolopoulos finished with 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds. 
 
>> Baitey led the Saxons with 37 points and 15 rebounds, while Gennaro Picco added 21 points and four assists.
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders travel to Keuka Park this Friday, January 30, where they will take on the Keuka Wolves at 7:30 p.m.