Hamilton Heights fell to Northwestern 55-50 in a Hoosier Conference game at the Husky Dome Friday night.
Heights trailed 15-12 after the first quarter, but came back to lead 28-24 at halftime. The Tigers answered in the third period, jumping ahead 38-36 by the end of the quarter.
The teams were tied 40-40 midway through the period and exchanged the lead during the latter stages of the quarter, but Northwestern made a late run to clinch the game. Camron Knott and Gus Etchison both scored five points in the fourth, including one 3-pointer each.
“It comes down to execution, hitting shots,” said Huskies coach Chad Ballenger. “We had a nice little four-point lead at halftime and I thought we played well. We contained (Tayson) Parker at times in the first half, we held him to 10. Thought we did a good job at times. But we lost him in transition, which was my fear, on a few possessions.”
Gus Etchison and Caleb Bean both scored 13 points to lead Heights. Max Beale added eight points. Bean also pulled seven rebounds, with Tyler Wiltermood collecting six.
The loss dropped the Huskies to 2-1 in the conference’s east division, behind Northwestern and Tipton, which are both 2-0. Overall, Heights is 4-7 for the season.
The Huskies’ junior varsity team won 63-57. Ethan Rodriguez poured in 22 points, and also had four rebounds, three steals and two assists. Blake Webel added 10 points, five assists, five steals and two rebounds.
Heights’ game with Twin Lakes that was originally scheduled for tonight has been postponed to Saturday, Feb. 3, with a noon JV start. Today’s Alumni Game will take place as scheduled, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Husky Dome.
Hamilton Heights’ Michael Cross (3) leaps up as a Northwestern player inbounds the ball during the Huskies-Tigers game Friday night at the Husky Dome. (Richie Hall)