WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

It wasn’t the sendoff Coach Maggard and her squad had envisioned for their final regular season game inside Platt Arena. Facing No. 7 University of Saint Francis, the #RV Foresters ran into one of the nation’s premier programs Wednesday night and fell 85-47.

The Cougars (24-3, 14-3) showed exactly why they’re ranked among the NAIA’s elite, seizing control early and never relinquishing it. Saint Francis roared out to a 21-6 first-quarter advantage and kept its foot on the gas. Huntington settled in during the second, playing within four points of USF over the ten-minute stretch, but still trailed 37-18 at the break.

Any hopes of a second-half surge were quickly dashed. The Cougars dominated the third quarter, outscoring HU by 17 to create insurmountable separation. The fourth turned into an offensive showcase, with Saint Francis edging Huntington 27-25 to seal the lopsided final score.

Credit a Cougar defense that entered the night allowing just 53 points per outing. USF forced 21 Huntington turnovers and converted them into 30 points, while holding the Foresters to a season-low 27.8 percent shooting (15-for-54). HU connected on 8-of-34 (23.5 percent) from beyond the arc and finished with 33 rebounds and nine assists.

Kyndell Jochim led Huntington (18-9, 10-7) with 13 points behind four three-pointers. Kyndra Sheets added 10 points, while Addie Shank paced the glass with nine rebounds. Liv Raby contributed six points, five boards and two blocks.

Saint Francis shot a blistering 52.2 percent (35-for-67) from the floor and 41.7 percent (10-for-24) from deep, winning the rebounding battle 43-33. Taylor Fordyce and Isabella Gizzi each scored 13 points to lead the way, while Renna Schwieterman added 11. Addison Bowsman (12) and Rachel Harshman (10) provided a strong boost off the bench as five Cougars reached double figures.

The Foresters will look to regroup quickly as they close out the regular season Saturday with a road trip to No. 4 Marian University. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 p.m. The first meeting favored HU, as the Foresters knocked off the Knights by 11.