HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's basketball team couldn't recover from the big first half from visiting Bridgewater College as they lost, 82-64, Tuesday evening inside Memorial Gymnasium.
Chase Husted totaled 18 points to go with ten rebounds for his 19th career double-double, along with an assist and two steals. Tyler Lapetina had seven points, six rebounds, and an assist, while Kyle Ruggery totaled six points, two rebounds, and a steal off the bench.
Husted scored on a putback for the first Eagle points of the game, but Bridgewater scored eight of the first 10 points to lead 8-2 early. Two more Husted buckets and a layup from Elijah Kioko brought JC back within six, 14-8.
Ty Kocak drove to the hoop and dropped it off to Ruggery, who laid it off the glass. On the other end, Ruggery stole a pass and pump fake to get a defender to fly by before laying it in to make it 17-12 with 12 minutes to go in the half.
Bridgewater's offense caught fire from that point, as they closed the half on a 22-9 run as JC faced an 18-point deficit at the break.
The Eagle offense found their rhythm in the second half, scoring 43 points, but the visitors didn't relent as they scored 43 in the second half to maintain their advantage and leave Huntingdon with an 82-64 win.
JC returns to action next Wednesday and begins Landmark Conference play as they will host conference newcomer Lycoming Wednesday at 7:00.
