WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Playing in Platt Arena for the last time this season, the Forester women’s basketball team made sure it was a battle not soon to be forgotten as they took #7 Taylor (26-3, 14-3) to a pair of overtimes before succumbing to an 83-78 loss to the Trojans Wednesday night.

It was an evening Coach Culler challenged her team to play with toughness and they did just that. They limited their visitors to just 60 points in regulation, 17 below TU’s season average. The main key to their defensive success was forcing Taylor into 24 turnovers, at least two of which were shot clock violations, which Huntington converted into 32 points at the other end of the court.

While the Foresters’ defense was some of their best of the season, their offense was praiseworthy as well. Contributions were across the board. In addition to Sarah Fryman dropping a game-best 25 points, the versatile forward also collected nine rebounds and three steals. Sam Hammel came roaring back after being held scoreless in the first half to net 13 points. The 5-7 guard also corralled a game-high 11 boards, handed out six dimes and swiped five steals.

Jade Clement knocked down two triples on her way to tossing in eight points. HU’s bench offered significant minutes as well. Cindy In’t Groen came up huge for her team, fittingly so on senior night, by posting nine points which included draining her second career trey in the second OT.

A pair of rookies in Dazia Drake and Alaina Rongos also sparked the Foresters off the bench by tossing in eight points apiece. Drake also established new career-highs by dishing out seven assists and swatting three shots.

The Foresters smelled victory at the end of regulation and the first OT. In both instances, things were knotted up and HU had the ball with :08 ticks remaining. But it wasn’t meant to be either time as both shots at the buzzer were off the mark.

After that, things fell into place for the Trojans as they opened the second extra period with an old fashioned three-point play. In’t Groen’s aforementioned long ball knotted things up at 70-70 after which TU pieced together a 6-0 run that they were able to ride out for the win.

Twins Becca and Abby Buchs finished with 24 and 22 points respectively to pace Taylor. Jamie Netzley added 14 points.

Huntington (20-9, 9-8) wraps up the regular season with a road trip to #3 Marian on Saturday.