MEN’S BASKETBALL

The #RV Pilots of Bethel University handed the #13 Huntington men’s basketball team their first loss of the season, a 96-90 decision, Saturday afternoon at Platt Arena.

As it turned out, Huntington’s solid start thanks to Landen Jordan who scored his team’s first six points of the ballgame was quickly forgotten five minutes into the contest when the Pilots took a permanent lead of 11-10. It was the start of an 11-0 run that laid the foundation for a Pilot lead of 31-15 halfway through the frame. Landon Biegel’s spot-up three in the corner just before halftime sent HU into the locker room down 48-37.

Jordan started the second half much like he did the first by accounting for six of Huntington’s first eight points to dwindle the gap to 50-45 three minutes in. Unfortunately, BU laid down the smack with six quick points to extend the lead back to double figures at 56-45 by the 16:04 mark.

Huntington stayed within striking distance, even closing to within three with nine minutes remaining, but could never get over the hump as a determined Pilot squad made sure of that. HU’s final push in the last 45 seconds was admirable. Down by ten, Drew Goodline and Lane Sparks each knocked down a three to keep hope alive, but time was the enemy at that point with the Pilots able to hang on for the win.

Sparks poured in a team-high 23 points. Jordan finished with 21 points and six rebounds. Goodline and Maximus Gizzi tossed in 12 and 11 points respectively with Goodline also recording six assists and three steals. Kaden Johnson tallied eight points and six boards to share team-best rebounding honors with Jordan.

Alonas Peciulis erupted for 29 points and nine rebounds. Luke McBride added 24 points while Jameir Jefferson and Beau Jacquay collected 16 and 12 points respectively for the Pilots. Bethel is now the only team in the league to remain undefeated at 8-0 which includes a 2-0 CL record.

HU (8-1, 1-1) is back in action December 4 when they travel to Fort Wayne to face Saint Francis at 7:30 p.m.