MEN’S BASKETBALL

Opening day of league play saw #11 Indiana Wesleyan take it to the #17 HU men’s basketball team 86-74 Saturday afternoon at Luckey Arena.

The Top 20 showdown lived up to its billing through the first 12 minutes until the Wildcats took full advantage of a short 90-second lull by the Foresters. A Lane Sparks layup with eight minutes left in the half pulled HU within five at 23-18 but then IWU scored nine quick points to skirt in front 32-18.

From that point on, Huntington played catch up with IWU enjoying a double digit lead more often than not which included a 43-33 difference at the break. Sparks scored the game’s first four points of the second half to slash the lead to six at 43-37 to give the HU hopefuls reason to cheer. The Wildcats quickly quieted the visiting crowd with ten straight points for a 53-37 disparity.

Wesleyan spiked their lead to 20 at 58-38 by the 14-minute mark. HU never threw in the towel, trimming it to nine twice but would get no closer as the game ended with little drama much to the dismay of Alford and crew.

Sparks finished with a game-best 25 points in addition to pulling down a team-leading five rebounds. Zach Goodline added 13 points, five assists and three steals. Landen Jordan and Jackson Paul tossed in 11 and ten points respectively.

Huntington scored 24 points off of 17 IWU turnovers.

Javan Buchanan led IWU with 22 points. Nathan Childress chipped in 19 points and nine rebounds. Caedmon Bontrager came off the bench to add 15 while Griffin Kliewer registered 11 points and seven assists.

The Foresters (2-4) head to Holy Cross next Saturday for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off with the Saints.