MEN’S BASKETBALL

The 6th-seeded Huntington men’s basketball team came within four points of advancing to the championship game of the Crossroads League tournament Saturday afternoon at the MU Physical Education Center in a barn-burner that eventually favored the 2nd-seeded Marian Knights 75-71.

While Zach Goodline’s three-pointer five minutes into the game gave HU its only lead of the afternoon at 14-13, the Foresters never let their hosts too far out of sight. Six points separated the two teams at break, 37-31, despite Huntington committing an atypical 11 TOs and shooting just 34.4 percent from the floor.

The guests got over their first half shooting woes to knock down 55.2 percent of their field goals in the final 20 minutes to outscore the 12th-ranked Knights by two, a noteworthy feat against the fourth best defensive team in the nation. MU gives up a mere 62.2 points per game.

Marian (25-4) grew the lead to eight on a few occasions in the second frame but more often than not, HU was within a possession which included a golden opportunity at the midway way point. A difference of two at 60-58 with nine minutes left, the score stood frozen for nearly three minutes without either team able to find the bottom of the net.

The hosts finally broke the lull to up their lead to four. Huntington trimmed it back to one with just under five minutes remaining, but momentum favored the Knights after that as they were able to ride out their advantage for a third straight win over HU this season.

Goodline topped all scorers with 25 points. Hank Pulver added 13 points and five boards while Peyton West and Lane Sparks chipped in 12 points apiece. Ben Humrichous finished with a game-best 12 rebounds, four assists and four blocks.

Christian Harvey topped Marian with 18 points. Luke Gohmann collected 15 points and six rebounds. Christian Stewart netted 14 points and dished out five assists and Jacob Wiley tallied 11 points.

HU’s record stands at 22-10. The Foresters, who will receive an at-large bid to the national tournament, find out Thursday where they will head for the opening round.