MEN’S BASKETBALL

Playing in Platt Arena for the last time this season, the HU men’s basketball team came up short against #17 Bethel College Saturday afternoon, 89-82, to wrap up the regular season with an overall record of 16-14 which includes a 6-12 record in league play.

As has been the case most of the season, the Foresters proved they can play with the best of them. After clinging to a slim lead for all but a few possessions of the opening seven minutes, HU had to play catch up the rest of the day but were determined to keep their ranked opponent within sight.

Of Huntington’s 14 losses, 11 have been to opponents ranked in the Top 20 in the NAIA.

The Pilots’ lead never extended beyond three possessions in the first half and the Foresters have Caleb Middlesworth and Konner Platt to thank for that as the pair each tossed in 15 points to account for all but nine of their team’s points in the opening twenty minutes.

Up 44-39 heading into the second half, Bethel spent the first seven minutes of the second frame outscoring their hosts 16-7 to make for a 60-48 difference at the 12:48 mark. It was a rapid-fire response by Platt’s gritty crew as they canned four straight long balls to BC’s one to quickly shrivel the lead to five at 63-58 by the midway point of the period.

It was still a two-possession contest with just over four minutes left until Bethel’s execution proved slightly more efficient than HU’s as the difference expanded to double digits at 77-67 by the 2:49 mark. Down 83-72 with :52 ticks to go, HU made one final push behind Zac Owens’ seven points to close to within six before succumbing to the seven-point loss.

Platt posted a season-high and game-best 31 points. He finished 12-for-19 from the floor with 15 of his points coming from downtown. Middlesworth tossed in 20 points while Owens added 19 and a team-high five assists. Peyton West enjoyed team-high rebounding honors with six.

Bethel’s guard, Trey’von Covington and Trevion Crews, poured in 24 and 23 points respectively. Crews also handed out 11 dimes and pulled down six boards. Paul Forman also tallied a double double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The Foresters, 7th in the final regular season Crossroads League standings, will travel to #2 Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday in first round action of the league tournament. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.