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Big night by Cougar guard stops HU men

One game after overcoming a 40-point performance by an opponent, the Huntington University men's basketball team couldn't overcome a 38-point effort by another and fell to host Spring Arbor University, 86-79, on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Guard Chris Bellamy poured in 38 points for Spring Arbor, but unlike the Foresters' last effort, Bellamy was able to get help from three other double figure scorers to overcome five HU double figure performers.

Shane Merryman led HU, 11-7, with 21 points, and he was followed by Alec Peterson with 15, Colin Featherston with 14, T.J. Short with 11 and Ryan Boester with 10.

Bellamy, who hit 12 of 17 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, and 10 of 11 free throws, got help from teammates Matt Howe and Rob Hogans with 13 points each, and Matt Van Pelt with 10.

Spring Arbor, 12-6, took a 37-31 lead after the first half and coasted to the win, building an advantage of 15 points in the second half.

Peterson led the Foresters on the boards with nine rebounds, and Stephen Jones was the assist leader with three.

Spring Arbor hit 31 of 57 shots from the field for 54.4 percent, including 8 of 16 from 3-point range for an even 50 percent. The Cougars cemented things with a 16 of 18 performance at the free-throw line for 88.9 percent.

The Foresters were solid from the field at 27 of 56 for 48.2 percent. They hit 20 of 27 free tosses for 74.1 percent.