MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Forester men’s basketball team captured their second consecutive Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Tournament championship title Saturday afternoon by dominating Missouri Baptist 87-56. With this win, HU remains unblemished in their opening week of play at 3-0.

“This was by far our most complete game on both ends of the floor,” said Coach Kory Alford. “Our defense was solid all night and it set up our offensive tempo.

“We played unselfishly and got everyone involved. It was important for us to take care of our home court this week, especially hosting the Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Classic.”

Huntington took full advantage of a Spartan scoring drought in the first half to grow a lead that would never be challenged. MBU’s only lead of the day was a 7-5 difference six minutes in but things quickly went sideways for the guests. They managed just two free tosses over an eight-minute spell to dig themselves in a 32-9 hole.

While Missouri Baptist cut into the lead to close out the half, Huntington still took a 43-25 lead into the locker room. The Spartans trimmed it to 15 right after halftime but that’s as close as it would get. When all the dust settled, HU outscored MBU by 13 over the course of the final 20 minutes to make for the lopsided 31-point final.

It was a balanced attack for Alford’s squad with Caleb Middlesworth and Zach Goodline each tossing in 14 points. Middlesworth also logged team-high rebounding honors with eight. Peyton West did a little bit of everything for his team by posting 11 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals. Mitchell Wilson and Spencer Ballinger added 11 and ten points respectively off the bench.

Like last night, Alford was impressed with his bench play. “Mitchell and Spencer were incredibly efficient in their minutes off the bench and provided great energy on defense.”

As a team, the Foresters made good on over half their attempts from the floor to finish 33-for-63 while limiting the Spartans to just 17 field goals on 31.5 percent shooting. The glaring difference came by way of points in the paint where HU enjoyed a 48-18 advantage. Huntington also limited their mistakes to nine while forcing MBU into 15 turnovers.

Brendon Hardy paced Missouri Baptist with 15 points while River Reed and RJ Pair chipped in 12 points apiece.

Alford and crew return to Platt Arena on Tuesday to host UNOH at 7:00 p.m.