Huntingdon leads the way from start to finish against Berea

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon men's basketball team took the lead in the opening minute and never backed down in Sunday's 87-73 win over Berea.

The Hawks built a double-digit lead in the first four minutes of the game and held off two Berea runs before pulling away for good in the second half.

With the win, Huntingdon sits alone in second place in the West Division of the USA South with a 5-4 conference record. Berea is third with a 4-4 conference record. Covenant leads the West with a 6-2 conference record.

The Hawks jumped out to a 13-2 lead against Berea and led 22-9 less than eight minutes into the game. Berea answered with a 14-6 run to pull within five points, 28-23, with 6:17 left in the first half.

But the Hawks put an end to the run and answered with one of their own to regain control. Huntingdon outscored Berea 12-2 during the next 3:30 to take a 15-point lead, 40-25.

Huntingdon, which shot 58.1 percent from the field in the first half, carried a 45-30 lead into halftime.

The Hawks extended their lead to 18 points in the first minute of the second half before facing their final threat of the game. Berea chipped away at Huntingdon's lead and pulled within nine points midway through the second half, but that was as close as the Mountaineers would get.

Leading 59-50 with 12:18 to play, Huntingdon took control of the game for good with a 19-8 run. Huntingdon opened the run with a 3-pointer by Aaron Washington and closed the run with a basket by Dylan Bohling to make it 78-58 with 6:14 remaining.

Huntingdon led by at least 14 points for the final 8:55 of the game and led by as many as 21 points.

Fifteen Hawks saw action in the game with eight scoring at least six points. Washington led Huntingdon with 16 points. The senior was 6-of-10 from the field, including 4-for-6 from 3-point range.

Charvez' Hobson finished with 12 points and a game-high seven rebounds, James Harris added 11 points, five rebounds and four assists and Mykel Woods had three blocked shots.

Records: Huntingdon (8-8, 5-4 USA South); Berea (8-7, 4-4 USA South)

Coming Up: Huntingdon hosts Brevard on Friday at 7:30 p.m.