HUNTINGTON, Ind. – The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team battled back from an early deficit but came up short in an 85-78 road loss to Huntington University on Saturday.
 
The Foresters, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25, opened the game on a 17-4 run and held a double-digit advantage for much of the first half. Spring Arbor settled in and trimmed the margin to nine in the final minute, but three late free throws allowed Huntington to carry a 46-34 lead into halftime.
 
The Cougars responded with a strong push in the second half, erasing the deficit and tying the game at 56-56. Spring Arbor briefly took the lead at 59-56 following a Brandon Trilli 3-pointer with 11:53 remaining, but Huntington answered with a quick 9-2 scoring spurt to regain control.
 
SAU continued to fight down the stretch and pulled within two, 78-76, on a jumper by Travis Grayson in the final minute. The Foresters responded with a 3-pointer and then closed the game out at the free throw line to secure the win.
 
Trilli led Spring Arbor with a season-high 18 points and added seven rebounds. Dante Favor followed with 17 points while Shane Rykse scored 13 and Aden Zank finished with 10.
 
Spring Arbor (10-10, 3-7 CL) returns home to host Marian University (4-16, 2-8 CL) on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.