WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The (RV) Huntington women’s basketball team opened the 2026 calendar year with a hard-fought 68–62 loss to Bethel Saturday afternoon at the Wiekamp Athletic Center, snapping a seven-game win streak the Foresters carried into the new year. The result leaves both Crossroads League foes deadlocked with identical 11–4 overall records and 3–2 conference marks.

Huntington looked in control early, building a 20–12 advantage midway through the second quarter after Liv Raby buried a three-pointer at the 6:51 mark. However, foul trouble and a shortened rotation began to take their toll as the Foresters closed the half on the wrong end of an 18–6 Bethel run, slipping into a 30–26 deficit at the break.

The Pilots created separation coming out of halftime, outscoring Huntington 21–10 in the third quarter to build a double-digit cushion. But Maggard’s crew refused to fold, embracing the uphill climb and turning the final ten minutes into a battle.

Down 13 entering the fourth, Peyton Hartsough splashed a three to ignite HU’s rally. The Foresters chipped away possession by possession before Kyndra Sheets scored four straight points to trim the margin to six midway through the quarter. From there, Addie Shank and Izzy Shepherd took the reins, combining for 12 of Huntington’s final 14 points. Shepherd’s clutch, nothing-but-net three with under 30 seconds remaining pulled the Foresters within two at 64–62 and briefly put the upset back in play.

Time, however, proved costly, as forced fouls sent the Pilots to the line where they converted four free throws in the final 20 seconds to seal the outcome.

Huntington shot 35.6 percent from the field and knocked down six triples while battling foul trouble throughout the afternoon. The Foresters forced 16 Bethel turnovers while committing just 12 of their own.

Annaka Nelson led HU with 13 points and three blocks, while Raby added 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Shank chipped in nine points, Shepherd finished with seven points and three steals. Sheets also tossed in seven points while handing out a game-best six assists, and Lauryn Merritt was strong on the glass with nine rebounds to go along with seven points and two assists.

Bethel was paced by Isabel Scales, who poured in a game-high 19 points while going 9-for-10 at the free-throw line. Mariah Claywell added 16 points, and Olivia Nickerson finished with 10. The Pilots capitalized at the stripe, getting to the line 30 times at a clip of 80 percent, and won the rebounding battle 45–36.

The Foresters return to Platt Arena on Wednesday, looking to bounce back when they host Goshen at 5:30 p.m.