BETHANY, WV – After a first-half draw, the Bethany Bison pulled away from the Houghton Highlanders late in the second half to pick up their fourth win of the season, 78-61.
 
The Bison and Highlanders went to the locker rooms knotted, 35-35, and played near-evenly throughout most of the second half.
 
With just under seven minutes to play, Houghton's Jake Verschoyle grabbed a defensive rebound and drove the length of the court, hitting a layup that pulled the Highlanders within three, 60-57.
 
But that would be the last basket the Highlanders would make, as the Bison clamped down on defense, allowing Houghton only three free throws through the remaining minutes.  Bethany would outscore the Highlanders over that stretch, 18-to-3.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 61 | Bethany – 78 
Records: Houghton: 3-6 |Bethany: 4-7 
Venue: Hummel Field House, Bethany College | Attendance: 67

NOTABLE STATS
>> Lou Bellamy turned in his fifth double-double of the season, and fourth in his last five games, scoring 24 points and pulling down a season-best 18 rebounds.
 
>> Bethany won both the turnover battle (8-to-14) and shot better from the floor (43%-to-35%).
 
>> Verschoyle contributed 12 points, while Tyson Clark added 11.
 
>> Jayden Jackson led Bethany with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"I did not do a good job of regenerating the momentum we had going into break, coming out of break. We felt inconsistent in our practices leading up to today and it carried over. I need to be better about pushing the right buttons or finding the right combinations that will give us the best chance to succeed.
 
"Our inconsistency continues to bite us, and it's on me to figure out how to grow us into a more consistent team.
 
"Lou did not have his best shooting day. Our whole team really did not shoot it as well today as we have in the first semester, but Lou was dominant, nonetheless. At times, they were throwing three defenders at him. He still posted 24 and 18." – Head Coach Jeremy Bialek
 
UP NEXT
The Highlanders head to Rochester on Tuesday, January 6^th, where they will open Empire 8 conference play against the Nazareth Golden Flyers at 7:30 p.m.