WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Junior forward Addie Shank sank two game-winning free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining to cap a monster 24-point double-double and lift the Receiving Votes (RV) Huntington women’s basketball team to a thrilling 71–70 victory over #RV Indiana Tech in their 2026–27 season opener at the Schaefer Center Thursday evening.

Coming off a 19–12 campaign and an NAIA National Tournament Round of 32 appearance last spring, the Foresters (1–0) battled back from a 10-point second-half deficit against the host Warriors (1–2). The victory marked Huntington’s fourth career win against Indiana Tech under head coach Darby Maggard, improving her career record to 3-2. Five years ago, Maggard launched her head coaching career with a 73–72 buzzer-beating victory over then-#24 Indiana Tech, making Thursday’s one-point triumph another memorable entry in the neighborly rivalry.

Indiana Tech held the upper hand through a defensive opening half, taking a 16–14 lead after the first quarter and extending its advantage to 30–27 at halftime behind strong perimeter play from Ryan Moorer. The Warriors surged out of the locker room in the third quarter, capitalizing on Huntington turnovers to build their largest lead of the night at 42–32 following a Moorer three-pointer with 6:11 left in the frame.

Huntington responded with an explosive 13–2 run that completely shifted momentum. Teegan Acres ignited the rally at the charity stripe, followed by a Liv Raby three-pointer and a Kyndra Sheets pull-up jumper. Peyton Hartsough tied the contest at 42–42 with a clutch triple, and freshman Hannah Higgs drilled a shot from long range moments later to put the Foresters ahead 45–44. Huntington poured in 25 points in the third period on 72.7 percent shooting (8-for-11 FG) to draw even at 52–52 heading into the final quarter.

After taking the lead 30 seconds into the fourth, Tech hung on to their advantage for dear life until the frantic finish. Trailing 69–64 with under 1:30 remaining, Raby converted an essential three-point play to pull HU within two. On the succeeding possession, Hartsough swiped a critical steal, setting up Shank for a game-tying layup with 51 seconds on the clock. After Moorer split a pair of free throws to give Indiana Tech a 70–69 lead with 23 seconds left, Huntington called a full timeout to set up the final play.

Shank drove into the paint, drew contact with three seconds remaining, and calmly stepped to the line to drill both free throws. Indiana Tech’s final jump shot as time expired was off the mark, securing the 71–70 victory for Huntington.

Shank spearheaded the Foresters’ effort with a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds, going 9-of-14 from the floor and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. Raby added 14 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, while Sheets logged all 40 minutes, contributing 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Higgs came off the bench to chip in nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.

Huntington finished the night shooting 47.2 percent from the field (25-of-53) and an elite 92.9 percent from the foul line (13-of-14).

Indiana Tech was led by Moorer’s 21 points on 4-of-6 shooting from deep. Annalise Pietrzyk scored 15 points, while Jaidyn Gulley pulled down a team-high seven rebounds alongside 10 points. Gabby Richie added 10 points off the bench for the Warriors.

UP NEXT
The #RV Foresters return to Platt Arena for their home opener on Saturday to host Madonna (MI) at 3:30 p.m.