UTICA, NY – Despite a combined 53 points from Lou Bellamy and Tyson Clark, the Houghton Highlanders could not climb out of a first half hole, falling to the Utica Pioneers for the second time this season, 86-76.
 
After jumping out to an eight-point lead with just under 13 minutes to play in the first half, the Highlanders watched the Pioneers storm back, reeling off a 22-3 run to take an 11-point lead of their own.
 
Utica would end the half up by nine. 
 
Houghton would scrap back to within four points twice during the second half, but the Pioneers eventually re-built a double-digit lead late in the game and never relinquished control.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 76 | Utica – 86
Records: Houghton: 6-17 (3-10 Empire 8) | Utica: 17-5 (10-3 Empire 8)
Venue: Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium, Utica University| Attendance: N/A

NOTABLE STATS
>> Clark finished with a new career-best 27 points, shooting 10-for-15 from the field, 3-for-5 from long range, and 4-for-5 from the line. 
 
>> Bellamy compiled 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals.  He now has 12 double-doubles on the season.
 
Bellamy has now scored 892 points in his two years as a Highlander.  Together with the 103 points he scored as a freshman at Johnson University (FL), he has a career total of 995 points, only five shy of 1,000.
 
COACH'S CORNER
"Not a whole lot new in this one. I'm really proud of our guys for the fight they show when down to good teams on the road.

"We executed at a really high level to work the lead down to four or five several times. We just gave up way to many turnover buckets and paint points where our help did not arrive soon enough.

"The resiliency of this team is like nothing I've seen in recent memory. Their efforts will bear fruit soon. It's too late for an Empire 8 playoff spot, unfortunately. However, our goal of maximizing our development this season is still there.
 
"Lou Bellamy continues to lead in many areas. Double-doubles against teams like Utica may seem normal to fans, but the determination and work to accomplish it is impressive to me.
 
"Tyson Clark rebounded from a rough shooting night Friday and carried us for sections of the game today on both ends. I love how he moves from being a great defender to so quickly becoming a threat on offense and vice versa. His maturity is beyond his freshman classification.
 
"It was wonderful to have Donovan Loudermill back this weekend. He needed to shake off some rust and did so. I'm looking forward to how he finishes up this season." - Head Coach Jeremy Bialek

UP NEXT
The Highlanders return to the Nielsen Center this upcoming Friday, February 13, when they will host the Hartwick Hawks at 7:30 p.m.