MEN’S BASKETBALL

The HU men’s basketball team opened up the Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Classic with an 86-76 win over Judson Friday night at Platt Arena. In the six times these two squads have met up, the Foresters have never lost.

On this given night, the Eagles scored the game’s first two points after which Huntington reeled off the next 15 to skirt in front by 13. The five-minute scoring blitz was fueled by Zach Goodline’s eight points which included draining back-to-back triples.

While the Foresters weren’t able to shake their guests until the second half, they held onto an advantage for all but 13 seconds when JU opened up play with the first bucket. A 22-12 difference at the midway point of the frame saw Judson score on four straight possessions to the tune of three long balls and a transition layup to whittle HU’s lead to just four points at 27-23 by the 8:27 mark.

Huntington ended up heading into the locker room up 35-43. The Eagles kept it to single digits until Hank Pulver scored on the block with just over 15 minutes to go for a 54-43 lead that never dipped below ten the rest of the way. HU cushioned their lead to as many as 23 at 85-62 with five minutes remaining before settling for the ten-point margin by game’s end.

HU outscored their guests 27-21 from beyond the arc with five different Foresters knocking down at least one three-pointer. Alford’s crew also enjoyed the battle down low by scoring 48 points in the paint to Judson’s 34. Second chance points also favored the hosts 17-8 as did points off TOs. HU forced 18 turnovers for 25 points while committing six of their own blunders which Judson turned into ten points.

Goodline put up 19 points to lead a balanced Forester attack. He also tracked down six boards and handed out three assists. Lane Sparks finished with 14 points, Pulver added 13 and Mitchell Wilson tallied 12. Ben Humrichous had a solid night by posting eight points, a game-high eight rebounds, six of which were of the offensive pursuit, and a game-best six assists.

Leading the way for the Eagles was Thomas Donati with 17 points while Javaris Wiggins, Leonard Wilson and Gavin Alston each tossed in ten.

HU (2-0) is back in action tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. to host Trinity International who beat Michigan-Dearborn in tonight’s second game of the classic.