MEN’S BASKETBALL

The HU men’s basketball team wrapped up their time in the Sunshine State with a 68-66 win over Florida Memorial (3-9) Saturday afternoon at the FMU Wellness Center. With this W, the Foresters improve to 8-6.

Konner Platt had the final say in Saturday’s barnburner when he buried a three with 2.8 seconds remaining for the permanent go-ahead bucket. Leading up to Platt’s game-winner, the Foresters had spent the previous four minutes reclaiming a lead that their hosts owned much of the half.

It was another Platt triple with 4:16 to go that gave HU its first lead at 57-56 since early in the frame. The lead would toggle back and forth five times with the Lions’ final advantage, 66-65, coming on Mubashar Ali’s put back with 18 ticks remaining.

The first half looked a lot different than the second as Huntington surged in front 19-9 by the 14:08 mark thanks to their big man Caleb Middlesworth. The Lions had absolutely no answer for the 6-8 forward who erupted for 18 of his team’s first 19 points. His scoring rampage included four long balls.

The Foresters would grow their advantage to as many as 13, 30-17, before Florida Memorial got hot. Four different Lions found the bottom of the net to rattle off 12 straight points to close out the half to pull within one by intermission. They added five more points to their run to start the second half for 17 straight points and a 34-30 lead.

Hank Pulver finally broke HU’s scoring drought with a bucket in the paint to force the first of seven ties in the contest. While FMU enjoyed a lead more often than not over the next 14 minutes, no more than two possessions separated the two teams the rest of the way with Platt’s trey capping off the nip and tuck contest.

Middlesworth finished with a game-best and season-high 24 points. Platt added 20 points. Pulver tossed in a career-best ten points and grabbed seven rebounds while Peyton West posted ten boards and seven assists, both of which were team highs.

Ali was one of two Lions to log a double double with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Quvondo Johnson collected 16 points and 12 boards for his double double. Kaleb Darrett registered 12 points.

“This was a good bounce back for our guys,” said Coach Ty Platt. “Especially after a heartbreaking defeat yesterday in overtime. We look forward to the second half of the season coming up after the holidays.”

Today marked the Foresters’ last contest of 2019 as their next outing is January 2 against Siena Heights at Platt Arena.