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11.18.06
- The NAIA Division II
2nd ranked Huntington University Foresters (5-1) took the
Huntington University/Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Classic title with a
convincing 75-56 win over Aquinas (4-3) College.
The Foresters built an early 12-5 advantage four minutes into the
contest, but the Saints put together a 7-2 spurt to keep within
striking distance. A 3-pointer by James Haifley at the 12:06 mark
ignited a 13-4 Forester run that gave Huntington a double-digit lead
for good. The Foresters finished out the half with another 20-3 run
and went to the break with a 44-19 lead.
Aquinas got within 20 early in the second half at 48-28, but HU senior
Kyle Ganton caught fire, scoring 12 of Huntington’s next 17 points to
put the game out of reach. Two free throws by Kevin Kyle at the 6:11
mark gave the Foresters their largest lead of the game at 71-37 as
they coasted to the tournament title.
HU’s Ganton topped all scorers in the game with 26 points on 9-11
shooting and the tournament’s MVP, Alex Kock, joined him in double
figures with 12 points. Jeff Jayson scored 11 to lead the Saints and
Pedja Lazic and Johnny Martin each added 10.
The Foresters shot 52% for the game hitting 26 of their 50 shot
attempts and were 14 of 15 from the line. Aquinas was 20-49 from the
field for 41% and went 12-18 from the free throw line for 67%.
Aquinas won the battle of the boards 30-28.
In the tournament’s consolation game, Malone College knocked off
Trinity International University 90-81. Joining Kock on the
All-Tournament team were HU’s Ganton, Kyle Benge and Jared Yoder,
Malone’s Tyler Renner and Aquinas’ Jayson.
Box Score
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