MEN’S BASKETBALL

The Forester men’s basketball team came up short for the first time this season in an 80-70 contest that favored #RV West Virginia Tech on day one of the Terry Polston Hoops for Hope Classic hosted by Grace College.

It was a battle for any sort of advantage through the opening 20 minutes with defense proving king. With the exception a brief five-point difference, no more than two possessions separated the two squads with the Bears getting the final say by scoring twice in the minute leading up to halftime to take a 33-30 advantage into the locker room.

It looked like defense would continue to dominate as two minutes came and went to start the second frame without a score. By the 14:43 mark, it was still slow going for both teams with WVU holding a 40-36 advantage. The Bears’ offense finally came to life by scoring 12 of the game’s next 14 points to balloon their lead to 52-38 with just over 11 minutes remaining.

Four minutes later, Mitchell Wilson’s three cut it to nine, 60-51, after which Zach Goodline scored six of his team’s next eight points to dwindle HU’s deficit down to five at 64-58 with just over four minutes remaining. Unfortunately, that’s as close as it would get the rest of the way as Tech slowly pulled away to eventually win by ten.

Goodline poured in 17 points to pace Alford’s crew. Ben Humrichous finished with 16 points and ten rebounds for his first collegiate double double. The 6-8 sophomore also swiped three steals and dished out two assists. Peyton West tossed in 14 points while Lane Sparks added 11 off the bench.

Tamon Scruggs dropped in 21 points for the Bears while teammates Andrew Work (12), Gunner Short (12), Ashton Parker (10) and Andreas Jonsson (10) also posted double figures.

HU (4-1) is back at it tomorrow at noon to take on Grace Christian.