WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The #RV HU women’s basketball team wrapped up play at the Patriot Classic with a 72-56 loss to #24 Lindsey Wilson Friday afternoon at the Rollins Center, hosted by the University of the Cumberlands.

The Foresters got off to a sluggish start, falling behind 11-3 midway through the opening quarter before finding their rhythm behind sophomores Addie Shank and Kyndra Sheets, who combined for eight points during a 13-6 surge. A late triple from Kyndell Jochim and buzzer-beating layup by Lauryn Merritt cut the margin to just one at 17-16 after the first ten minutes.

Huntington briefly climbed on top 19-18 to start the second frame on a pair of free throws from Allison Price, but it proved to be the only lead HU would enjoy. The Blue Raiders’ steady inside presence and balanced scoring lifted them to a 34-26 halftime lead. Lindsey Wilson maintained control the rest of the way, outscoring the Foresters 38-30 in the second half to pull away for the 16-point win.

Sheets was Huntington’s lone double-digit scorer, finishing with 13 points to go along with two assists and two steals. Liv Raby turned in a strong effort on the glass, collecting a game-high nine rebounds to go with eight points despite battling foul trouble. Price also chipped in eight points and four boards, while Shank added eight points off the bench on 4-for-5 shooting.

Lindsey Wilson (3-0) placed five players in double figures, led by Taylor Guess with 14 points on 7-for-8 shooting. Saniyah Shelton and Jarie Thomas each finished with 11, while Amelia Hodges scored 10 and Claire Fleming came off the bench to add seven. The Blue Raiders shot nearly 45 percent from the field and dominated the paint with a 46-28 scoring edge while holding HU to just 13.6 percent from three-point range (3-for-22).

With the loss, Huntington moves to 2-2 on the season. The road ahead doesn’t get any easier as the Foresters return to Platt Arena on Wednesday to host local rival #17 Indiana Tech at 7:00 p.m.