WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Junior forward Addie Shank delivered late-game magic for the second time this season, drilling a go-ahead three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining to lift the #RV HU women’s basketball team to a gritty 60–59 victory over #RV Indiana University South Bend at Platt Arena Wednesday evening.

Entering the matchup, both squads brought potent offensive credentials with IU South Bend averaging 91.0 points through two games while Huntington has averaged 88.5 points per contest. Wednesday’s battle, however, flipped the script into a defensive grind.

The victory marks Huntington’s (3–0) second win of the young season over a team receiving votes in the national poll, following a season-opening 71–70 road victory at #RV Indiana Tech where Shank drained a pair of last second free throws. The win also gives head coach Darby Maggard her first career victory over IU South Bend, bringing her head-to-head coaching record against the Titans to 1–1.

The contest opened with a tight first quarter as Kyndra Sheets knocked down two early triples and senior center Liv Raby established interior presence to give Huntington a 21–17 edge. Senior forward Annaka Nelson made her season debut coming off the bench midway through the first frame, immediately burying a three-pointer to spark the crowd. Defense dominated the second quarter as both teams generated 13 points, allowing the Foresters to carry a 34–30 lead into halftime.

IU South Bend (2–1) seized momentum in the third period, utilizing an 8–0 run to take a 40–38 lead following a jumper by Kenzie Fulks. Shank answered with a crucial three-pointer to briefly restore HU’s lead, but the Titans took advantage of second-chance opportunities to carry a 48–46 lead into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was a classic battle down the stretch. The Titans expanded their margin to four points at 59–55 on a Fulks jumper with 2:06 left. Sheets drew a foul and calmly converted two pressure free throws with 45 seconds remaining to bring HU within two at 59–57. After a defensive stop and an offensive rebound off a missed shot, Nelson found Shank on the perimeter, and the junior forward buried the game-winning triple with 10 seconds on the clock. IU South Bend had one final opportunity, but Fulks’ jumper at the buzzer fell short, and Sheets hauled in the rebound to preserve the 60–59 victory.

Shank spearheaded Huntington’s offense with a game-high 17 points (7-12 FG, 2-5 3PT) alongside seven rebounds. Raby turned in a powerful double-double with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds while swatting two shots. Sheets played 36 minutes, contributing 10 points, six rebounds, and a team-high six assists.

In her return to action, Nelson provided vital leadership off the bench with seven points, four rebounds, two blocks, and two assists, including the assist on Shank’s game-winner. Huntington controlled the glass 49–41 and limited IUSB to 32.4 percent shooting from the field (23-of-71) and 8.3 percent from deep (2-of-24).

IU South Bend was led by double-double performances from Bradie Chambers (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Fulks (16 points, 6 rebounds). Aubrie Booker, who came into the night averaging 19.5 PPG, was limited to 11 points and four steals for the Titans.

UP NEXT
The #RV Foresters hit the road on Saturday to face Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College at 3:00 p.m.