MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Huntington men’s basketball team’s three-game win streak came to an end Tuesday night at Platt Arena thanks to one of the nation’s best in #3 Indiana Wesleyan (23-4, 13-2). The Wildcats built a 48-22 halftime lead on the way to a 97-64 victory over their hosts. The win completes Wesleyan’s regular season sweep over HU.

Of IWU’s 23 wins this season, all but four have been double digit contests by game’s end. Wesleyan ranks third nationally in scoring by tossing in 91.6 points per night and on this given night, it was business as usual for the visitors. While as a team the Wildcats lived up to their offensive reputation, the Foresters held standout Kyle Mangas, who averages over 27 points, to a season-low 13 points.

Shooting woes in the first half was what did the Foresters in. HU shot an uncharacteristic 30.0 percent to score just 22 points through the opening 20 minutes to dig themselves into a hole that was too deep. The second frame saw Huntington play within seven points of their visitors, but the damage had already been done.

Hank Pulver finished with 13 points, the eighth time the rookie has logged 10+ points this year, to pace Platt and company. Caleb Middlesworth, saddled with foul trouble in the first half, added 11 points while Peyton West tossed in ten points. Klajd Kiri posted a team-leading five rebounds, three of which were at the offensive end.

Seth Maxwell led all scorers with 18 points. In addition to Mangas’ 13 points, Tim Adetukasi came off the bench to net 16 points to round out IWU’s double digit scorers.

The Foresters’ record stands at 13-14 overall, 5-10 in league play. Next up is a road trip to #9 Bethel on Saturday.