MEN’S BASKETBALL

The #RV Huntington men’s basketball team (6-2, 0-1) saw its five-game win streak come to an end Wednesday night in its Crossroads League opener, falling 72–65 to Spring Arbor (4-2, 1-0) inside American 1 Credit Union Arena. The Cougars entered the matchup on a three-game win streak of their own and relied on a gritty, disruptive defensive effort to hand HU its lowest scoring output of the season.

The Foresters trailed through the first 11 minutes before Taden Metzger finally broke through from deep, drilling a triple at the 8:42 mark to give HU its first lead at 23–22. Huntington pushed the margin to five a few possessions later on two free throws by Landon Biegel, their largest lead of the frame, before SAU answered with a late surge to reclaim a 36–34 advantage at the break.

Jauch’s crew quickly swung momentum back in its direction early in the second half. Just three minutes in, Miles Good buried a three to put Huntington back in front, 39–38. It proved a lead the Foresters would hold for the next ten minutes with their largest advantage a six-point spread. The turning point came with just over six minutes remaining, when David Cundiff knocked down the Cougars’ second, and final, three-pointer of the night to push SAU ahead 57–56. From there, Spring Arbor never relinquished control.

The final minutes became a parade to the free-throw line, where the hosts made the difference. Nine of SAU’s final 11 points came at the stripe, allowing them to expand their slim lead into a seven-point victory by the final horn.

Huntington was led by a standout performance from Miles Good, who poured in a game- and career-high 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting while adding two rebounds and a steal in 35 minutes of action. Kaden Johnson provided a strong inside presence with 11 points and seven boards. Jackson Paul contributed eight points, six rebounds and three assists while leading the team with three steals. Keylane Lasisi and Biegel matched Johnson’s seven boards to share team-high rebounding honors.

Spring Arbor featured a balanced offensive attack led by Travis Grayson who finished with 20 points. Cundiff and Shane Rykse followed with 15 points each while Dante Favor chipped in ten points.

HU returns to Platt Arena on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. to host Mount Vernon Nazarene as league play continues.