|
02.15.05 - The NAIA 9th-ranked
Huntington College Foresters (20-9, 12-4) secured the top seed in
the MCC Tournament next week with their 80-77 win over the Bethel
College Pilots (16-13, 6-9). After leading by as many as eight
midway through the first half, the Foresters headed to the locker
room up just two at 44-42. The second half was a seesaw battle with
14 lead changes and five ties. With the score tied at 64-64, the
Pilots put together a 9-2 run to take their largest lead of the game
at 73-66 with 5:50 left to play, but a controversial blocking foul
called on Huntington’s Chase Verba lit a fire under the Foresters.
On Huntington’s next possession, Verba beat his defender to the hole
for an easy layup and then stole the ball from Jon Zeser at the
other end. Alex Kock missed a 3-point attempt, but Verba came up
with the offensive board and was fouled on the putback. Verba
knocked down both free throws to cut Bethel’s lead to 73-70 with
4:35 to go. Three minutes later, a jumper in the paint from Steve
Snider put Huntington up 74-73 with 1:43 left to play. The Pilots
immediately took back the lead on two free throws from Jon Jones,
but Huntington’s Doug Sheckler answered with a floater in the lane
to continue the seesaw affair. On Bethel’s next possession, the
Pilots got the ball in deep to Andrew Laird and he scored the layup
and was fouled with just 23 seconds remaining. Laird missed the
free throw and Huntington’s Kock came down with the rebound. The
Foresters brought the ball up and immediately got it into Kock on
the block, who powered his way in for the layup. Adrick Hill
grabbed the inbounds pass and took off up the floor, but was
whistled for a travel when he tried to stop and pull up for a
jumper. The Pilots were then forced to foul and they sent Kyle
Ganton to the line. He knocked down both charity tosses to put
Huntington up 80-77, and Kyle Sears desperation three at the buzzer
was off the mark. Ganton and Kock led the Forester offense on the
night with both scoring 20 points. Kock also added 10 rebounds and
three assists. Laird took game-high honors with his 21 points for
the Pilots. Huntington concluded its regular season with tonight’s
win and will now await the outcome of Saturday’s games to find out
who they will host in the first round of the MCC Tournament next
Wednesday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Box Score |
