MBB Fisher

Houghton, NY- The Highlander Men's Basketball team cruised to an easy victory over the Fisher College Falcons today, 96-70 in the Nielson P.E. Center. The Highlanders were led again by Luke Mortenson (Sr. Greenville, N.Y.) who scored 21 points in just 19 minute's of action tonight.

The Highlanders took pride playing at home for the first time in month controlling the game and the lead from tip-off. Defensively the Highlanders looked shaky in the first half to the Falcons guard play from Michael Newcombe who lead the falcons in scoring earning everyone of his 24 points. The Highlanders did control the glass out rebounding the visitors 39-27.

The Highlanders pushed out an early 11-2 lead (16:07) off an couple of early baskets from Ahmed Abdelhamid (Fr, Auckland, New Zealand) & Yannick Anzuluni

(Fr. Ottawa, ON). The lead would stay within 10 points for most of the half limiting the amount of scores for the visitors especially from the defensive intensity from Highlander Bruce Mourhess (So. Campbell, NY) who collected a game high 4 steals.

The Highlanders let their guard down a couple of times in the half allowing Fisher to get as close as a one point lead, 34-33 (4:16). However Houghton always answered quickly returning the lead back to 8 points going into the half, 44-36.

The Highlanders turned up the intensity in the second half going on a 14-0 run midway through the second half, 66-45 (12:10) extending the lead to 21 points. Luke Mortenson (Sr. Greenville, N.Y.) found his offensive touch scoring 17 of his 21 points in the second half. The Highlanders never looked back continuing the the offensive pressure on the Falcons.

The Highlanders finished with five players in double digits; Luke Mortenson (Sr. Greenville, N.Y.) 7-13 FG, 5-6 FT, 21 points and 3 steals, Allen Goodman (Sr. Citra, FL) 4-7 FG, 4-4 FT, 8 rebounds, 14 points and 2 assists. Ahmed Abdelhamid (Fr, Auckland, New Zealand) 3-5 FG, 9-12 FT, 9 rebounds and 15 points,

Yannick Anzuluni (Fr. Ottawa, ON) 4-6 FG, 4-5 FT, 9 rebounds, 12 points and 3 assists, Ben Kopp (Fr. Franklinville, NY) 4-5 3pt FG, 12 points. Another Highlander that played outstanding tonight was Bruce Mourhess (So. Campbell, NY) 3-5 FG, 7 points and 4 steals.

For the first time the men's record moves above .500 entering AMC North Division Conference play in over a decade. The Highlanders sit at 6-5 overall moving into AMC North Division Conference play at #4 NAIA Div 2 nationally ranked Point Park University (PA) on January 6th at 4.00 pm.

Houghton College has deep and solid roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play and in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a difference for the Kingdom on campus, in Allegany County, in the Northeast and around the world. Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the door for Houghton to be a leader, both in the Northeast and nationally, in character education. Through hands-on, innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and student-athletes are working together to change the culture of sport and to change our culture through sport.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- January 5, 2007 CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- January 5, 2007
CONTACT: Glyn Turner 585,567,9648