FORESTERS HOST PILOTS IN KEY NAIA CLASH

HUNTINGTON, Ind. (Interstat) — Two of the NAIA’s top men’s basketball teams in the early season will meet Sunday when the Huntington Foresters host the Bethel (Ind.) Pilots.

The Pilots (9-1) enter with one of the nation’s best records, their only loss a 91-80 setback to Taylor on Dec. 3. They rebounded with an 82-66 road win at Saint Francis (Ind.) on Saturday. Guard Colin Comer, a key player to watch, scored 19 points in that victory and is averaging 13.9 points per game. He has shown versatility, tallying at least five rebounds or five assists in four games this season.

The Foresters (7-3) are coming off a defensive-minded 66-63 home win over Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday. Forward Kaden Johnson anchors Huntington, averaging a near double-double. He pulled down 10 rebounds with five assists in the latest win and had a 26-point, 11-rebound performance against Cornerstone on Nov. 15.

Bethel’s offense has been potent, scoring 99 or more points in three games, including a 112-point outing at Goshen. Huntington has shown it can win in different styles, from a 96-82 shootout to Saturday’s grind-it-out victory.

The teams met in an exhibition on Oct. 28, a 2-2 game that was halted prematurely. This contest counts in the standings and offers an early test for both squads ahead of conference play.

The game tips off at 3 p.m. EST at Platt Arena. The teams will meet again in Mishawaka on Jan. 3.