MEN’S BASKETBALL

Despite a slow start, the #25 HU men’s basketball team put a season-best 114 points on the board in a 53-point blowout over Ohio Christian Saturday afternoon at Platt Arena. The 114-61 decision is HU’s largest margin of victory this season and the fourth time Alford and crew have put up triple digits.

While the Foresters are known for their offensive prowess, it was really their defense that fueled the lopsided affair. The Trailblazers entered the contest averaging over 80 points and just 12 turnovers per night, but Huntington made sure that wasn’t the case on this given afternoon. In addition to holding their guests to just 18 field goals (on 35.3 percent shooting) for their second lowest point total of the year, HU also forced 29 OCU mishaps to the tune of 47 points.

HU shot 54.8 percent from the floor to more than double up Ohio Christian in made field goals with 40. The Foresters have shot over 50 percent in nine games this season. Landen Jordan was the main reason for his team’s efficiency. The 6-9 big man went 12-for-14 from the field and hit two freebies for a career-tying 26 points. He also corralled eight rebounds and swatted three shots to round out his dominate performance.

Ben Humrichous also had an efficient night offensively by going 6-or-8 which included knocking down all four of his triples and canning three of his four free throws for 20 points. Additionally, he grabbed eight rebounds to share top rebounding honors with Jordan and OCU’s Nick Phillips. Zach Goodline tossed in 18 and dished out a game-best seven dimes. Lane Sparks also filled the stat sheet with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The opening 13 minutes were rather forgettable with HU holding a slight 23-17 advantage, but the next five minutes were eye-popping compliments of a 21-0 run.

Humrichous started the scoring frenzy with the first seven points as one of five different Foresters to get in on the fun. It blew the game wide open to make for a 47-23 difference by intermission. HU continued to pile up the points in the second frame to further distance themselves from the Trailblazers.

Devon Miller posted 12 points as OCU’s only double-digit scorer.

With this win, the Foresters head into Christmas break with an 11-3 record while Ohio Christian drops their fourth straight for a 4-8 record. The win marks Coach Kory Alford’s 50th win of his coaching career.

HU is back in action December 30 when they host East-West at 5:00 p.m.