WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The #20 Huntington women’s basketball team protected its home floor in thrilling fashion Saturday afternoon, outlasting #RV Taylor 70–67 in a gritty Crossroads League showdown inside Platt Arena. The win pushed the Foresters into fourth place in the league standings at 5–2, while Taylor (14–3) slipped to 4–3 and fifth place after suffering its third straight loss following a 14–0 start to the season.

Huntington never trailed, but nothing came easy in a true barn-burner that featured three ties and multiple double-digit Forester leads that were constantly under pressure. HU came out with defensive teeth, limiting the Trojans to just four points over the first five minutes while four different Foresters scored to spark a 14–4 opening run. Sophomore playmaker Kyndra Sheets set the tone early, accounting for five of those points and orchestrating the offense.

The Foresters built their largest lead just before halftime when Izzy Shepherd slashed through the lane for a layup to make it 31–19. Huntington went into the break holding a 36–26 advantage after shooting 40 percent from the floor and knocking down five triples in the first half.

Taylor matched Huntington’s 21 points in the third quarter, trimming the margin to four early in the period before HU answered. A pair of interior buckets from Addie Shank, a three from Sheets, and a pull-up jumper by Liv Raby pushed the Foresters back in control at 68–57 with under four minutes remaining.

The Trojans had one last push, pulling within 70–67 with 41 seconds left, but Huntington’s defense had the final word. After two Taylor three-point attempts missed the mark, Annaka Nelson came up with the game-sealing steal with two seconds to play, sending Platt Arena into a roar.

Huntington’s balanced attack was led by Sheets, who poured in a career-best 18 points to go with eight assists, five rebounds and two steals in a complete 40-minute effort. Raby followed with 16 points and six boards, while Shank recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Shepherd provided a massive lift off the bench with 13 points, three triples and three assists, helping the Foresters shoot 40.9 percent from three (9-of-22) for the game. HU also finished with 14 assists, nine steals and only 13 turnovers in a physical, high-pressure contest.

Just as impressive was Huntington’s defensive work on Taylor’s high-powered attack, especially league-leading scorer Kaycie Warfel, who entered averaging 27.7 points per game. The Foresters held her to 15 points on 7-for-15 shooting, cutting her production nearly in half and forcing four turnovers.

Taylor was led by Warfel’s 15 points and six rebounds, while Emma Ancelet added 10 points and three assists off the bench. Celina Blount and Madi Allen each scored nine, with Allen also grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds as the Trojans won the glass 47–37 but could not overcome Huntington’s perimeter shooting and late-game execution.

With the win, the Foresters improve to 13–4 overall and 5–2 in Crossroads League play. Huntington hits the road Wednesday for a marquee matchup at #7 Saint Francis with tip set for 5:30 p.m. in Fort Wayne.