Spartans take home the 62-55 win in an instant classic against Huntington
By: Joshua Hoerner
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WAVERLY, Ohio (WOUB) – After Alexander jumped out to a huge lead, the Huntsmen’s comeback effort would fall just short as the Spartans would go on to win 62-55.
Alexander and Huntington matched up for the second time this season on Monday night. In their contest earlier in the season, the Huntsmen took home the win 50-37. Head Coach Morgan Grinstead knew her team needed to adjust this time around in order to advance in the tournament.
“When we played them earlier this season, we did not play our best offensively or defensively,” Grinstead said. “We let them control everything of that game. We didn’t shut down what I think is their best player.”
Monday night’s contest couldn’t have started any better for the Spartans. Alexander jumped out to an 8-0 lead just one minute and 18 seconds into the game, thanks to three early steals leading to points.
The Spartans would keep this momentum rolling throughout the quarter. Alexander led 21-2 at the quarter’s end. McKenna Moore had eight points and five boards, while Kaylee Hudnall went for seven in the period.
The second quarter featured another strong start for Alexander. They led 28-4, before the Huntsmen built momentum in the last few minutes, going on a 6-2 run before the half ended. The Spartans led 30-10 going into the break. Hudnall led the way with ten points and five assists.
However, the Huntsmen’s offense wouldn’t be held in check for long. Allie Baker was held to zero points in the first half, then turned in a fifteen-point quarter in the third. Huntington cut the Alexander lead to ten, trailing 41-31.
The Huntsmen kept chipping away at the Alexander lead. Freshmen Brailee Hauswirth was crucial down the stretch for Huntington, making key buckets at critical times. Alexander held a six-point lead with a minute and thirty seconds left. However, a Baker out of a timeout would bring the Huntsmen within three.
As time was winding down, Huntington resorted to committing fouls and putting Alexander on the free throw line. Hudnall and Lily Ryder would deliver down the stretch and give Alexander’s lead much needed cushion. Buckets from Baker down the stretch would not be enough, as Alexander would go on to win 62-55.
After an impressive performance, Kaylee Hudnall said the team did what it needed to do to win.
“Just doing what we needed to do to win,” Hudnall said. “We all have our roles, I just had to step up a little. Some people have off nights, this was one of my nights.”
Hudnall led the way with 17 points and had six assists. Moore finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Ryder added in twelve and dished out six assists.
After shooting 0-11 from the field in the first half, Allie Baker scored all 30 of her points in the second half. Baker only missed five shots from the field in the half, shooting 11 for 16 in the last 16 minutes. Hauswirth finished the night with 15 points and six rebounds.
Alexander will head back to Waverly to take on the number one seeded Portsmouth Trojans on Saturday at noon.