After falling 62-61 to Lawrenceville School in the semifinals of the Peddie School Invitational Tournament (PSIT) on Saturday, the Hun School boys’ basketball team found itself in another nailbiter a day later as it faced Gilman School (Md.) in the third-place game of the tournament.

Having lost three games by a total of five points already this season, Hun picked up the intensity at both ends of the court to pull out a 67-66 win over the Greyhounds in a game that was tied at 50-50 entering the fourth quarter.

“The one thing we were struggling with all game was help-side defense because they just kept getting in the lane; the guy guarding the ball was fine but then someone has to step up,” said Hun junior forward Max Gussen.

“We learned from that and that helped us in the end; rebounding definitely helped us in the end. Our shots were starting to go in the last quarter and there were a lot of good assists down low.”

While Hun’s performance wasn’t perfect by any means, coming up with the victory was a step forward.

“I am not satisfied with the win because of some of the mistakes we made but it always feels good to win, that was for sure,” said Gussen, who scored 20 points in the contest as Hun improved to 2-5.

Bringing a 0-4 record into the weekend, Hun showed progress, getting a 78-61 win over the Phelps School (Pa.) in opening round action at the PSIT on Friday before its battles against Lawrenceville and Gilman.

“I have noticed that whenever we move the ball around really well, that is when we get great shots,” said Gussen, reflecting on the weekend. “It seems coincidentally, that is when our shots go in.”

As a junior transfer from Shawnee High, Gussen has quickly fit in at Hun.

“I adjusted right away, they were very welcoming and everything,” said the 6’5, 200-pound Gussen.

“Right away coach (Jon) Stone knew what position I was, it is the same role I had with my old high school.”

Hun head coach Stone, for his part, is happy to have Gussen. “Max has been very solid for us, shooting the ball and with his ability to rebound the ball,” said Stone. “He is a strong kid.”

In Stone’s view, Hun showed solid progress over the weekend. “We are still not clicking on all cylinders but we are getting better,” said Stone.

“There was more consistency; we are starting to share the ball better. We had a lot of assists this weekend; all three games we were close to 20 assists if not at 20 or more. We are also shooting better this weekend; other than today we shot very well.”

Post-graduate guard/forward Desmond Cambridge is giving the Raiders a lot.

“Desmond hit a big 3-pointer when we were down,” said Stone of Cambridge, who had a team-high 23 points in the win over Gilman. “He had some big rebounds; he had to have double digit rebounds. He made a lot of big plays.”

Hun also got big efforts from senior guard Austin Hutcherson and junior guard Tyler Washington.

“I think the guys did different things in their own way; Austin Hutcherson had a really good weekend,” said Stone of Hutcherson, who made the PSIT All-Tournament team.

“He didn’t shoot as well today as he did in the other games. He is so consistent for us in terms of poise and ability to handle the ball and shoot the ball. Tyler Washington continues to grow in terms of what he is doing on the court.”

With the Raiders playing at the Shipley School (Pa.) on December 17 and then facing Union Catholic High in the Hoop Group Tip-Off Classic a day later at Caldwell University, Stone is hoping to see more growth from his squad.

“We have exams and then we have two games after exams before the break,” said Stone.

“We would love to see ourselves just get out and have a good couple of games going into the holiday and get ready for league play.”

Gussen, for his part, believes the Raiders can build on their win over Gilman.

“Once we get back at it, I think we will be great,” said Gussen. “I know coach Stone will make sure that we are taking the experience from this game. He is going to bring it into practice and make sure that we go over everything in detail.”