MEN’S BASKETBALL

The #RV HU men’s basketball team battled their way to an 81-74 win over #6 Marian (11-2, 3-2) Saturday afternoon in front of a lively Platt Arena crowd. The win is Huntington’s first over a ranked opponent this season as they improve to 10-2 overall, 4-1 in CL action.

Today’s decision also snapped a five-game win streak Marian held over the Foresters. It was a typical Crossroads League clash as both teams jockeyed for any sort of advantage. The first half featured seven ties and ten lead changes with Zach Goodline’s three at the buzzer sending HU into the locker room up 37-36.

Christian Harvey, who came into the contest averaging over 14 points per night, scored two of his five points to kick off the second frame. The two squads swapped the lead over the next few minutes until Landen Jordan scored down low at the 16:10 mark to give his team a 41-40 lead. HU clung to a slight advantage over the next six minutes before the Knights reclaimed a lead of 54-53 by the halfway point of the period.

Fast forward 60 seconds. With things knotted up at 57s, Goodline canned another three to spur a 13-2 run that put Alford and crew up 70-59  with three minutes to go. It was clock management after that along with trips to the free throw line which is where HU’s final 11 points came from.

All five of Huntington’s starters finished in double figures with Goodline pacing the crew with 29 points while handing out nine dimes to just miss out on a double double. Lane Sparks added 18 points. Ben Humrichous finished with 12. Hank Pulver and Jordan each tossed in 11 points. Jordan also dominated at the defensive end where he collected 12 or his 14 rebounds in addition to swatting a career-best seven shots.

Brody Whitaker came off the bench to pour in 23 points for the Knights while Josh Bryan and Taeshon Cherry registered 12 and 11 points respectively.

The Foresters head to Saint Xavier on Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. tip-off with the Cougars.