MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Huntington men’s basketball team kicked off 2020 with a resounding 119-85 win over Siena Heights (6-10) Thursday evening at Platt Arena. It’s the most points a Forester squad has put on the board since November of 2008 when HU trounced Ohio State Mansfield 121-61.

Not surprising, offense came easy for the hosts as they turned in a season-best 64.2 shooting percentage (43-for-67) which included knocking down 14 threes at a clip of 58.3 percent. Platt’s crew showcased their dominance in the opening 20 minutes to enjoy a commanding 63-39 lead by the midway point.

Several Foresters highlighted the first half. Caleb Middlesworth went off for 25 points by missing just two shots in the frame. Highschool teammate Spencer Ballinger also logged double digits in the half with 12 points. Making his debut in green and white, Cincinnati Christian transfer Time Abel came off the bench with just under eight minutes left in the period to spark his new team.

When the 6-2 guard entered the contest, Huntington was up by seven, 31-24, and after nearly six minutes on the hardwood during which he drained a pair of triples on the way to scoring eight points, the Foresters were up by 17, 51-34.

HU would go on to increase their 24-point halftime advantage to 34 by the final buzzer to make for the lopsided affair. Twelve of the thirteen Foresters who saw action got into the scoring column with Middlesworth topping the list with a season-high 33 points. Ballinger finished with 20 points while Konner Platt added 16. Abel and David Arens each tallied ten points off the bench.

Peyton West tied his career-best by handing out 11 dimes. He also corralled six boards to share game-high rebounding honors with Ballinger and SHU’s Keith Jordan.

DeMarco Dickerson led the Saints with 28 points. Jordan and Anthony Duncan tossed in 21 and 14 points respectively. Siena Heights capitalized on 28 of their 39 free throw attempts while the Foresters went 19-for-22.

With this win, Huntington improves to 9-6 on the year. Platt and company jump back into league play on Saturday with a road trip to #17 Saint Francis.