WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Winning inside the Ruth Gunden Gymnasium is never easy. Wednesday night was no exception — but Huntington found a way. The #RV Foresters weathered runs, embraced the grind and used timely scoring bursts to secure a 60-52 road win over Goshen, completing the regular season sweep of the Maple Leafs.

Both teams stumbled out of the gate, combining for just six points in the first four minutes. But HU closed the opening quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 15-11 lead, a theme that would define the night.

Second Quarter Surge

Kyndra Sheets carried the offensive load in the second stanza, scoring all 10 of her points in the frame while attacking with confidence and composure. Huntington again finished strong, outscoring Goshen 11-4 in the final two minutes. A Kyndell Jochim triple ignited the run, and Annaka Nelson’s transition baseline jumper beat the buzzer to give HU a 38-30 halftime lead.

Third Quarter Response

The Foresters managed just one free throw over the first six minutes of the third but still clung to a narrow lead. And once again, they flipped the switch late.

HU closed the quarter on a 10-2 run, punctuated by Peyton Hartsough’s buzzer-beating three after an offensive rebound and assist from Teegan Acres. That momentum carried Huntington into the fourth with a double-digit cushion.

Closing Time

Huntington stretched its lead to 12 points (50-38) early in the fourth, its largest of the night, but Goshen refused to fold, trimming the deficit to four with just over three minutes remaining. Enter Hartsough again. The junior guard scored five of HU’s final seven points, calmly helping seal the eight-point victory.

By the Numbers

Huntington outrebounded Goshen 40-33, including 13 offensive boards, and turned those extra possessions into key opportunities. The Foresters also knocked down 17-of-22 free throws (77.3%), including a perfect 10-for-10 in the first half.

Balanced scoring led the way:

• Kyndell Jochim paced HU with 11 points, hitting 3-of-4 from deep.
• Sheets and Hartsough added 10 points apiece.
• Liv Raby finished with 8 points, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the line.
• Teegan Acres stuffed the stat sheet with 11 rebounds and four assists.
• HU assisted on 12 baskets and recorded seven steals while forcing 13 Goshen turnovers.

Goshen was led by Zy’Ann Phinezy’s 10 points, while Ava Egolf added eight, and Carrie Hiler and Kyla Foster chipped in seven and six, respectively.

The win moves Huntington to 18-7 overall and 10-5 in Crossroads League play, matching last season’s win total with three regular season games still to play. Next up is a road test at #RV Taylor on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the first annual Crossroads League-wide Jesus Won Day.