File photo – Alfonso Medina

Playing without a key player, the Fortuna Huskies traveled to Ukiah on Saturday and gave the Division-2 Wildcats all they could handle in a 52-49 loss in boys basketball.

The game was the official season opener for the Fortuna boys, who beat Cloverdale in an exhibition game last week.

The Huskies, who are a Division-4 program, played without starting center Jake Houseworth, who is recovering from a football injury, while starting forward Kallen Barrote saw just limited time after just recently finishing up the football season.

In a very physical and fast-paced showdown, neither team was able to take control with never more than six points separating the two sides until late in the game and the lead changing hands several times.

The Fortuna defense stepped up late and held the home team to just 11 points in the final quarter, but offensively the Huskies managed just seven points in that span.

The Huskies trailed by three with 14.5 seconds remaining and had possession, but they were unable to get a shot off and the Wildcats held on for the win while improving to 2-1.

Fortuna shot 88 percent from the free-throw line but managed just 2 of 14 on 3-point attempts.

Ukiah, meanwhile, made seven 3s.

Fortuna also committed 19 turnovers and was out-rebounded 24-19.

Senior guard Alfonso Medina led the Huskies in scoring with 22 points and senior Russell Pascascio added 14 points.  

Medina also had a team-high four assists and a team-best five steals.  

Kallen Barrote led the team with five rebounds.

Next up, the Fortuna boys will play at the Harlan Carter Tournament at Enterprise High, opening against Foothill on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

The Fortuna JVs also played at Ukiah on Saturday and fell 46-36.

Jack Stach and Blake Schleginger led the team with with nine points each.