HINU women fall; men win

Fightin' Indians split with Central Christian College

With 1:30 remaining and Haskell Indian Nations University’s women’s basketball team down three points, HINU freshman Melinda Adams decided she was going to step up on Senior Night and try to say something motivating.

“Don’t let this one get away,” she yelled at her teammates during the Indians’ final timeout.

Haskell eventually lost to Central Christian College, 69-60 in overtime, Friday night at Coffin Complex, but at least Adams’ ploy bought HINU five more minutes.

Samantha Pete drilled a three-pointer with 7.5 seconds left to tie it at 57, and HINU senior Melissa Catron almost gave the Indians a victory.

“That was a heart-breaker,” said Catron, who came up with a loose ball in the final five seconds of regulation, but was called for a charge when she drove into a couple of Central College defenders in the lane.

“I was just trying to either get a shot up or hope the ball would go to a teammate,” Catron said of her last-ditch effort.

The final few seconds must have zapped the Indians for overtime, though, because as soon as the extra period started the Tigers went on a 10-1 run to seal the game.

“We just didn’t have any energy left,” said HINU coach Phil Homeratha, whose team fell to 6-18. “I’m really proud of the way the girls played. We’re so young right now, and lately we’ve been battling sickness. It just seems that if things aren’t going a 100 percent for us, then we’re going to come up a little short.”

Haskell honored its seniors, Catron and Ruby Beatty, during a halftime ceremony.

Haskell Indian Nations University's Andy Deal cuts to the basket while being guarded by Central Christian's Matt Lock. The HINU men won, 91-88, Friday night at Coffin Complex.

Adams led the Indians with 13 points, while Pete added 11 and Lucita Yesslith scored nine.

While the seniors were honored Friday, their last home game officially will take place at 3 p.m today when Haskell plays host to Newman University.

“This was a hard one to take,” said Catron, who scored seven points and grabbed 10 rebounds. “But at least we have one more game left before our home careers officially end.”

Haskell’s men, who also will wrap up the home portion of their schedule with a game against Newman at 5 p.m. today, snapped a four-game losing skid with a 91-88 victory Friday over Central College.

Five Indians scored in double figures, with Corey Ladson leading the way with 25 points. Topah Spoonhunter, who broke an 88-all tie with a put-back on a Ladson miss with 50 seconds left, tallied 19.

“With about 10 minutes left we were all tied up at 68, and during a timeout I just told our guys whichever team makes a stop or two in the next few minutes is going to win this game,” HINU coach Jamie Morrison said. “We made a couple and were lucky enough to hold on.”

Two Haskell student athletes were honored during the men’s game for being selected NAIA Academic All-Americans.

Alta Malchoff, a senior setter for the women’s volleyball team, was honored, along with HINU linebacker Ben Baker. Baker, a senior from Keifer, Okla., became the first two-time selection in Haskell history.