MEN’S BASKETBALL

Winning on the road in the Crossroads League is no small feat but it’s what the #17 HU men’s basketball team was able to pull off in convincing fashion with an 81-64 decision Saturday afternoon at #RV Spring Arbor.

The win is Huntington’s ninth straight over the Cougars as they improve to 13-4 overall which includes a 3-4 CL record. Sixty-four points ties SAU’s lowest point total of the season as they drop to 13-4, 5-2 in league play.

The Foresters’ 17-point victory wasn’t indicative of how closely-contested the majority of the game really was. The first half was back-and-forth with the end of the frame tipping in favor of the guests. With four minutes left in the period and SAU up 30-25. Alford’s crew pieced together a 13-1 run that spilled into the second half for a 38-31 lead.

Landen Jordan and Lane Sparks offered a huge boost just before intermission. Jordan kicked things off with a pair of freebies followed by bucket down low after which Sparks nailed a three and scored in transition to account for nine straight points.

While HU opened up the second frame adding to their 34-31 halftime lead, Spring Arbor hung in there to eventually turn the tide back in their favor for a 47-46 advantage with 12 minutes to go. It was Cade Brenner to the rescue. The 6-3 sophomore packed a punch in his brief appearance by knocking down back-to-back threes within a 30-second span.

Brenner’s work from downtown arguably changed the trajectory of the contest. Several minutes later Maximus Gizzi fed off HU’s energy by dropping in another long ball. After Jordan’s first of three dunks in the final eight minutes, Sparks and Drew Goodline each added another trifecta to put double digits between the two squads at 69-54 for the first time all afternoon.

There were five minutes remaining after the barrage of threes which Huntington was able to ride out of the win.  Jordan finished with 18 points as one of four Foresters to finish in double digits. Sparks added 13 points and five assists. Gizzi and Goodline tossed in 11 and ten points respectively with each handing out four dimes.

Kaden Johnson topped the Foresters in rebounds with seven in addition to scoring eight points.

Huntington turned 15 SAU turnovers into 20 points while giving up just six points off their seven miscues. HU also got to the line more than twice as often as their hosts, going 20-for-24 while limiting the Cougars to just 11 trips where they converted eight.

Spring Arbor was paced by Gabe Newhof who posted 20 points and eight boards. Kevyn Robertson netted 18 points and pulled down six rebounds while Travis Grayson added ten points, five assists and four boards.

HU is back in action Wednesday when they host Taylor at 7:30 p.m.