BETHANY, W.Va. - The Bethany College men's basketball team defeated Houghton (N.Y.) University by a final score of 78-61 in a non-conference game on Joe Kurey Memorial Court inside Hummel Fieldhouse. 

Bethany (4-7) Leaders

• Sophomore forward Jayden Jackson (Columbia, S.C./A.C. Flora) recorded his fifth 20+ game of the season and his second straight double-double with a team-best 21 points and 11 rebounds
• Graduate Academic All-PAC guard Troy Hixson (Grove City, Ohio/Bishop Ready) finished with 15 points including three three-pointers with four rebounds as he continues his pursuit to join Bethany's 1,000 Point Club
• Freshman guard Semaj Marshall (Washington, D.C./Parkside) had the best game of his young career with 15 points, five assists, three rebounds, a block, and a steal in his first collegiate start
• Sophomore guard Bryson Bishop (Dayton, Ohio/Stebbins) had a statline of nine rebounds, six points, two blocks, two steals, and an assist to help lead the Bison over Houghton

Houghton (3-6) Leaders

• Junior forward Lou Bellamy had a game-high double-double of 24 points and 18 rebounds
• Junior guard Jake Verschoyle added 12 points and two rebounds for the Highlanders
• Freshman guard Tyson Clark was the final player in double figures with 11 points

First Half (Tied 35-35)

• Jackson pulled down six rebounds while senior guard Ryan Reasbeck (Washington, Pa./Wheeling Central Catholic) and Bishop each grabbed four of the Bison's 21 boards
• Hixson hit his second three of the day with 8:26 left in the half to wipe away Houghton's final lead of the game
• Junior guard Cole Matthews (Nashville, Tenn./Battle Ground Academy) added two threes in part of the Green and White's five in the period

Second Half (Bethany 78-61)

• The Bison went on a strong 18-4 run late in the second half with baskets by Jackson, Marshall, Hixson, Reasbeck, and freshman guard Jaden Stewart (Pikeville, Ky./Pike County Central)
• The Green and White outscored Houghton in the paint 22-12
• Six steals by Bethany shut down the Highlander offense

The Bison are back in action on Wednesday, January 7 as they host Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) College in a Presidents' Athletic Conference matchup at 7:30 p.m. on Joe Kurey Memorial Court inside Hummel Fieldhouse.