MEN’S BASKETBALL

The #RV Forester men’s basketball team picked up their sixth straight win over Saint Francis Saturday at the Hutzell Athletic Center by handing their hosts a 94-85 loss.

With this win, Huntington (15-7) moves to 8-4 in CL play for third place in the league standings with six regular season games remaining. The Cougars (12-10) currently sit sixth in the standings with a 5-7 league record.

The game’s 12 ties and seven lead changes all happened in the opening 20 minutes with the Foresters piecing together a 9-2 run in the final two minutes of the period to bolt in front 46-41 by halftime. Lane Sparks and Zach Goodline combined for all nine of their team’s final points in the half.

While things remained tight through most of the second frame, Huntington held onto their lead and finally got a little breathing room with three minutes remaining when they opened up a double digit advantage, the game’s first, at 86-76. The Cougars cut their deficit in half with a minute to go but forced to foul, they sent HU to the line six times and Alford’s crew capitalized on all six attempts to preserve the win.

Both teams shot the ball well with HU going 36-for-72 for 50.0 percent while the Cougars enjoyed the comforts of their own gym by posting a shooting percentage of 52.6 (30-for-57).  The hosts outscored HU at the line 20-15 but Huntington got the better end of the deal in points off turnovers, 15-6, and second chance points, 14-6.

Sparks finished with 27 points to pace the Foresters. Goodline tossed in 23, snagged seven boards and handed out seven dimes. Landen Jordan added 15 points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds. Drew Goodline also finished in double figures with ten in addition to swiping three steals.

Luke Almodovar came off the bench for USF to pour in 23 points. Charlie Yoder added 22 points while Zane Burke chipped in 16 points and dished out six assists. Isaiah Malone finished with nine points and corralled a game-high ten rebounds.

The Foresters return to Platt Arena on Wednesday to host Mount Vernon at 7:00 p.m.