Buffalo, NY - In their first game back from Christmas break, the D'Youville Men's Basketball Team defeated the visiting Houghton Highlanders in thrilling fashion by the score of 81-79.

Jon Gemerek (Cheektowaga, NY/Depew) put on an offensive showcase in the first half, scoring 16 points. Both teams played a close game until half way through the first half when D'Youville began to pull away. Gemerek and fellow junior Marcus Clarke (Olean, NY/Archbishop Walsh Academy) combined to score the next 20 points for the Spartans, including 10 straight from Gemerek. Heading into halftime, D'Youville held a 44-37 lead over Houghton.

As the second half got underway, the Highlanders fought back to pull within 1 just over 2 minutes in to trail 48-47. After Houghton pulled the game within a basket, they took the lead with 14:40 left in the game. Roughly 3 minutes later, the visitors opened up a 10 point lead at 67-57. The Spartans scored the next 8 points to get back in the game.

At the 6:39 mark left in the second, D'Youville pulled within 2 on a Julian Reed (Cheektowaga, NY/Union-Endicott) made free throw. Three minutes later, Anthony Malone (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) hit a big three to cut the Highlander's 7 point lead to 4 at 77-73. Two made free throws from Houghton pushed the game to 79-73, and from there on the visitors wouldn't score another basket. 

Matt Insley (Wellsville, NY/Wellsville) scored on made jump shot to bring the score 79-78 Houghton with :39 seconds left. A steal and assist by the game's high scorer, Jon Gemerek, led to a Julian Reed layup and an and-one opportunity to extend the Spartan's 1 point lead. With Reed's made free throw, the team had a 2 point with :10 seconds left. 

Jon Gemerek once again made the extra effort, blocking Houghton's final shot attempt with :01 second left to give D'Youville the 81-79 win in thrilling fashion.

"Today was a great win for us, especially because we overcame adversity and had to come back late in the game," said fourth year Head Coach Earl Schunk.

The game high 28 points scored by Gemerek were due in large part to his constant hard work and hustle. Gemerek took the ball to the paint throughout the game, also adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. The junior captain also had 1 steal and 1 block. The assist was on the game winning basket with the block coming on the final play of the game to secure the Spartan's win. Going 10-11 from the line, Gemerek was a model of consistency all over the court.

Filling up the stat sheet for D'Youville was senior captain Julian Reed. Recording his first triple-double of the season, Reed scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and denied 10 shots, adding to his team lead in blocks. Clarke, last season's leading scorer, chipped in with 15 points and played strong defense. 

In the final 3:05, D'Youville didn't allow the visitors to score a basket. Coach Schunk contributed his team for executing on both ends of the floor in order to pull in the big win.

"Our defense stepped up at the end and everybody had to help out defensively and on the boards to give us a chance to win. Then we were able to execute offensively the last three possessions to win the game," said Schunk.

Off of the bench, Anthony Malone led the team with 7 points. Freshman Bayani Salinas (Antioch, CA/Antioch) pulled in 4 rebounds to go with his 2 assists, 2 points and 1 steal. The two tied for the team lead in minutes off the bench with 17 each.

Starters Nate Sweetman (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) and Matt Insley played key roles for the team. Sweetman grabbed 4 rebounds while Insley had 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

The next game for the D'Youville Men's Basketball Team comes in the New Year as they take on Hamilton College Friday, January 2nd at 6:00pm in the College Center Gym.