Alexander Fends Off Huntsmen Comeback

Article presented by Tomlinson Insurance Agency…

Falling behind 21-2 is not how a team wants to open a game… especially when it could be the final one of their season.

But, that’s how it went for Huntington in a 62-55 season ending loss to Alexander, a team the Huntsmen had beaten at home in early January.

The Spartans got off to a super start, pressuring the Huntington offense from the get go. McKenna Moore opened the game with a bucket and the full court press was on. A turnover sent Alexander’s Lily Ryder to the line for a pair of free throws. Karah Allison hit a leaner off the second of Huntington’s nine turnovers in the opening period and suddenly, the Huntsmen were behind 6-0. A couple of minutes later it was 12-0.

With 4:19 remaining, Brailee Hauswirth hit a lay in and Huntington had its first bucket of the night. It would be the only score of the quarter for the Huntsmen.

Making matters worse – Allie Baker, Huntington’s season leading scorer, was held scoreless for the first half and by the break the Huntsmen were in a 30-10 hole.

Huntington came out of the intermission determined to turn things around… and that, they did.

The Huntsmen used Alexander’s opening strategy against them in the second half, forcing turnovers and attacking the basket. Baker found her stroke and hit for 15 of her 30-points in the quarter, whittling what was a 24-point margin to 41-31 through the third quarter.

The trend continued in the fourth quarter as Baker and Hauswirth combined 23-points. Baker sank a three-pointer from the left wing in the final two-minutes to pull the Huntsmen within 54-51 of Alexander. It was the closest the game had been in the previous 30 minutes of regulation.

Alexander’s Kaylee Hudnal hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 56-51. On the ensuing possession, the Spartans tied up a loose basketball and created a seven point spread and time ran out on the season for Huntington.

The Huntsmen closed their campaign at 17-6. Alexander improved to 17-7 and earned the right to face Portsmouth Saturday for a District Championship. The game will tip off at 12pm at Waverly’s Downtown Gym.

SCORING:
ALEXANDER (62): Kaylee Hudnal, 17; Lily Ryder, 15; McKenna Moore, 12; Karah Allison, 6; Kayden Bean, 6; Macie Hubbard, 6.
HUNTINGTON (55): Allie Baker, 30; Brailee Hauswirth, 16; Leah McCloskey, 5; Tori Smith, 2; Araya Smith, 2.

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