MEN’S BASKETBALL

The #RV HU men’s basketball team made it clear Friday night they can compete with anyone. The Foresters enjoyed a ten-point halftime lead before eventually falling to #6 William Jessup 86-79 as part of Southern Oregon’s Flagship Inn Classic at Lithia Motors Pavilion.

Huntington was a menace defensively in the first period to limit the Warriors to 12 field goals and a handful of free throws for a mere 30 points. At the other end of the floor, Zach Goodline took charge by racking up 17 points to send his team into intermission up 40-30.

Goodline continued his tear in the second half by pouring in another 17 points to finish with a career-best and game-leading 34 points. He missed just five shots from the field (12-for-17) and made good on eight of his ten freebies. The 6-0 playmaker also registered four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Despite Goodline’s monster performance, the Foresters couldn’t contain WJU’s explosive offense in the final 20 minutes as they watched their lead shrivel up with just over four minutes to go. Jordan Adam’s three at the 4:20 mark gave William Jessup their first advantage since early in the game at 72-71. Just nine minutes prior, Huntington had enjoyed their largest lead of the game at 58-44.

Ben Humrichous’ jumper with just over a minute remaining pulled his team within one at 79-78 but Jayden DeJoseph’s triple on WJU’s next possession extended the game to four and it was smooth sailing for him and his gang after that.

The two squads shot within a percentage point of each other with William Jessup hitting three more three-pointers than HU. Huntington got to the line a few more times but had more difficulty taking care of the ball to be outscored 14-6 from points off turnovers.

In addition to Goodline’s 34 points, HU’s offensive production came from Humrichous  with 15, Lane Sparks with 12 and Landen Jordan with ten. Jordan also collected ten boards to claim the game’s only double double.

Cashemin Williams and Myles Corey paced WJU with 19 points apiece while Adams and  Ty Artis added 11 points each.

The loss is the Foresters’ first of the season as their record now stands at 3-1. They are back in action tomorrow at 10:00 p.m. ET to face Southern Oregon.