A big fourth quarter propelled the Huntington North High School boys’ varsity basketball team to a 41-29 victory over visiting Columbia City on Friday, Jan. 11.
Entering the final frame leading by just two points, 23-21, the Vikings tallied 18 points while holding the Eagles to just eight to craft a double-digit lead by the end buzzer.
Huntington North, 11-3, 2-1 in the Northeast 8 Conference, trailed 11-5 after the first quarter, but narrowed Columbia City’s lead to 13-12 by halftime. The hosts then outscored the visitors 11-8 in the third period to fashion the two-point advantage they took into the fourth.
The Vikings were led by Zach Daugherty, who scored 12 points. The senior did the balance of his damage at the free-throw line, were he went a perfect 7 of 7. Daugherty also corralled a game-high six rebounds, which helped give Huntington North a 13-11 edge on the glass.
Senior Hank Pulver supplemented Daugherty’s scoring with an eight-point effort.
Huntington North shot 58.3 percent from the field on 14 of 24 marksmanship. The hosts added nine points in as many attempts at the charity stripe.
Columbia City, 4-8, 0-3 in conference, was paced by Mitchell Wilson, who tossed in a game-high 18 points.
The Eagles converted 10 of 24 field goal attempts for 41.7 percent and 3 of 4 freebie tries for 75 percent.
Huntington North also won the junior varsity matchup, 47-38.
The Vikes, 9-1, were led by Mitchell Gerber and Aidan Hosler, who scored 18 points apiece.