MEN’S BASKETBALL

The #RV HU men’s basketball team delivered one of its gutsiest performances of the season Wednesday night, edging Saint Francis 80–78 in overtime at the Hutzell Athletic Center to earn win No. 13. The Foresters improve to 13-5 overall and 4-5 in Crossroads League play, continuing their recent mastery of the Cougars with a 9-1 record over the last ten meetings.

Huntington could not have scripted a hotter start. The Foresters opened the game a perfect 10-for-10 from the floor, racing to a 19–6 lead in the first five minutes. Cade Brenner ignited the barrage by knocking down three triples for nine early points.

Saint Francis weathered the storm, using timely shooting and foul trouble on HU’s frontcourt to trim the deficit. Still, Brenner stayed scorching, draining two more threes before halftime, while Miles Good buried a pair and Landon Biegel added another as HU took a 40–34 lead into the break behind seven first-half threes.

The second half turned into a heavyweight bout. The Cougars finally grabbed their first lead at the 9:20 mark when Marr Avance splashed a three to make it 53-52, and the game stayed within two possessions the rest of the way. Jackson Paul’s two free throws with 21 seconds left tied it at 66, and a frantic final sequence – including a late Saint Francis half-court heave that was waved off – sent the game to overtime.

Huntington controlled the extra period to outlast a determined Cougar squad. Good opened overtime with a layup before Paul converted a three-point play to make it 71-66. Saint Francis closed within five with 45 ticks remaining, but HU did just enough at the line, hitting 5-of-10 free throws down the stretch to hold off a flurry of Cougar activity that included a dunk and two three-pointers.

Brenner led all Foresters with season-high 22 points, drilling six three-pointers while playing 38 minutes without committing a turnover while swiping two steals. Kaden Johnson dominated inside with 18 points and a monster 17-rebound performance, a new career-best. Paul stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points and nine assists, while Good chipped in 10 points and three steals. Huntington finished with a 42-27 rebounding edge and knocked down 10 threes, which proved vital in the road win.

Saint Francis was powered by Avance and Karson Rogers, who poured in 24 points apiece. Avance was nearly automatic, hitting 10-of-14 shots with four triples, while Rogers added 24 on 8-of-15 shooting and 7-of-9 from the stripe. Malachi King added 11 off the bench as the Cougars fall to 7-10 overall and 2-6 in league play.

Huntington now turns its attention to an all-important home test, welcoming Marian to Platt Arena on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the final game of the first round of Crossroads League play.