ALFRED, NY— After leading the entire second half, and by as many as 11 points with less than 15 minutes to play, the Houghton Highlanders watched the Alfred Saxons take the lead for good with 44 seconds left on the clock to eventually secure their first conference win of the 2025-26 season.
 
The Saxons led throughout the majority of the first half, before Houghton surged ahead, taking a seven-point advantage into the break. 
 
The Highlanders would lead for 22 minutes before a follow-up basket by Josh Ademiju put the Saxons up by two.  In the waning seconds, Houghton could find no answer.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 74 | Alfred – 78
Records: Houghton: 6-19 (3-13 Empire 8) | Alfred: 4-21 (1-15 Empire 8)
Venue: Terry S. Galanis Family Arena, Alfred University| Attendance: 205

NOTABLE STATS
>> Five of the last six meetings between Houghton and Alfred have been decided by four points or less, including a 97-94 overtime thriller won by the Highlanders earlier this season.
 
>> Lou Bellamy posted 23 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, good for his 14^th double-double of the season.  He finished the year with 484 points (19.4 ppg) and 263 rebounds (10.5 rpg).  At the conclusion of the regular season, Bellamy ranked 2nd in the Empire 8 in points per game, and third in rebounds per game.  He is the only player in the conference to rank in the top-five in both categories.
 
For his career, Bellamy now has 945 points and 523 rebounds as a Highlander. He also scored 103 points and collected 44 rebounds in his freshman year at Johnson University. 
 
He is currently 272 points and 65 rebounds away from joining the Houghton career top-10 in each statistical category, respectively.
 
>> Tyson Clark finished off his stellar freshman campaign with 15 points and five rebounds.  For the season, Clark scored 391 points (15.6 ppg) and won Empire 8 Rookie of the Week honors five times.
 
>> Jake Verschoyle and Donovan Loudermill chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively.  The duo averaged 12.0 and 11.1 points per game, respectively, this season.

COACH'S CORNER
"A disappointing end to our season. We've planted a lot of seeds. We need to cultivate the soil, take care of the plants that are growing, and see that we get some fruit out of these hard losses.

"We've been a very competitive team, but I never really figured out how to solve our possession problems - both turnovers with leads and giving up offensive rebounds - so those continued to beat us all season.

"I need to coach them better. I'm going to work to do that. I know our guys will work, too. And I believe we'll be better next season." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek