WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

The script flipped in emphatic fashion Wednesday night as the #RV Huntington women’s basketball team stormed past Mount Vernon, 76-59, to complete the season sweep of the Cougars.

After trailing by eight at halftime, the Foresters erupted for a dominant third quarter, outscoring Mount Vernon 25-9 to seize control and never look back. The surge turned a 38-30 halftime deficit into a 55-47 Huntington advantage heading into the final frame – and from there, it was all green and white.

Huntington carried that momentum straight into the fourth quarter when Kyndell Jochim lit it up from downtown to spark a 7-0 run, pushing HU’s lead to 62-47, its largest of the night at that point. The seven-point spurt was part of a six-minute dominance that saw the Foresters score 18 points to MVNU’s four, setting the stage for the lopsided 17-point victory.

The post-halftime dominance was fueled by a renewed emphasis on pounding the ball inside. Liv Raby was the catalyst, pouring in 12 of her game-best and career-tying 24 points in the third quarter alone. The junior center was nearly flawless, finishing 9-for-11 from the field, while adding six rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks to her stat line.

Huntington finished the night shooting an efficient 50.9 percent from the floor, knocked down 40 percent from three, and assisted on 24 of 28 made field goals. The Foresters also controlled the glass with a 39-32 rebounding edge and forced 14 Mount Vernon turnovers, ten of which came after the break.

Annaka Nelson added 16 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals and a block, while Addie Shank chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds. Jochim provided a spark off the bench with nine points, including 3-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc, to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Kyndra Sheets orchestrated the offense with seven assists while tossing in nine points and grabbing three rebounds.

The opening half was a tale of runs. Huntington jumped out to a 20-15 lead after one quarter, but Mount Vernon responded with nine unanswered points midway through the second to grab its first lead of the game at 29-25. The Cougars held the edge until the 6:43 mark of the third quarter, when Huntington reclaimed control – and never relinquished it.

Mount Vernon was led by Angela Roshak, who scored 15 points, and Lily Shepherd, who added 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Melodie Blubaugh chipped in 11 points off the bench for the Cougars.

With the win, Huntington improves to 15-6 overall and 7-4 in Crossroads League play, while Mount Vernon falls to 6-15 overall and 2-9 in league action. The Foresters return to Platt Arena on Saturday for their 19th annual Pink Out game, hosting Grace with tip-off set for 1:00 p.m.