MEN’S BASKETBALL

Huntington opened its 2026–27 men’s basketball season in commanding fashion Friday night at Platt Arena, knocking down 15 three-pointers and dominating the boards en route to a 99–68 victory over Governors State University.

Fresh off a 22–9 national tournament campaign a year ago, the Foresters (1–0) showcased depth and perimeter firepower, while the victory marked Head Coach Jared Jauch’s first career win against Governors State, improving his career record against the Jaguars to 1–0.

Huntington set an aggressive tone early, racing out to an 11–2 lead sparked by a Landon Biegel three-pointer and a steal-and-score sequence from freshman Keaton Lawson.

Governors State (0–1) responded behind reserve Kyle Tolbert, who poured in 13 of his team-high 15 points in the opening stanza to trim HU’s advantage to 19–17 midway through the half. However, the Foresters immediately countered with an 8–2 spurt featuring back-to-back triples from Cade Brenner and Miles Good.

A late first-half highlight saw Lawson throw down a transition dunk off a steal, capping a 50-point half as Huntington took a 50–34 cushion into the locker room.

The Foresters kept their foot on the gas in the second half, continually answering any Jaguar attempt at a run. Jay Reynolds scored nine of his 15 points off the bench after intermission, providing a major lift alongside Good, who knocked down four three-pointers on the night to finish with a game-high 22 points.

Biegel caught fire from deep in the final frame, sinking three of his five total triples as HU blew the game wide open with a 19-point lead that quickly ballooned past 25.

Huntington’s perimeter clinic extended deep into its bench during the closing minutes, as Taden Metzger, Wyatt Zepp, and Max McComb each drained three-pointers to push the final score to its widest margin at 99–68. Overall, HU connected on 40.5% (15-of-37) from behind the arc and won the rebounding battle handily 53–36.

Four Foresters reached double figures. Good led all scorers with 22 points (8-12 FG, 4-6 3FG) to go with six rebounds. Lawson posted a standout double-double in his collegiate debut, racking up 19 points, a game-high 11 rebounds and five steals. Biegel contributed 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from deep, while Reynolds added 15 points and five rebounds off the bench.

Governors State was led by Tolbert’s 15 points and Tarez Lee Jr.’s 10 points, while Matthew Lesure secured a team-high seven rebounds.

UP NEXT Huntington hits the road for the GPAC/Crossroads Challenge in Sioux City, Iowa, where the Foresters will take on Briar Cliff on Friday at 8:30 p.m.