JAN. 19 —Huntington prospers from GC's slow start

Marian College up next for Maple Leafs

Cassie Greives, a first-year, registered her second career double-double, recording 17 points and 10 rebounds.  Junior Krystal Duensing added 13 points and 4 steals and sophomore Kimmie Hummer 12 points. 

"We got off to another slow start on the road, which has hurt us in the conference,” said head coach Steve Wiktorowski.  “Then we switched defenses and were able to make a little run before they went up by 14 at half.”

The Foresters jumped out to an early 10-1 advantage.  They never trailed, and with a minute remaining in the first half, had built up a 17-point lead.  Sophomore Kimmie Hummer was fouled on a three-point attempt on Goshen’s last possession before intermission.  Hummer converted all three free throws, resulting in a 41-27 halftime difference.

The second half opened in the same manner that the first ended:  Goshen turnovers and missed jumpers.  Huntington gained its largest lead of the evening when Erica Yost hit a jumper with 13:44 left, putting her team up 54-33.  The Leafs then slowly began closing the gap.  A lay-up by Kimmie Hummer made it 69-61 with 1:38 on the game clock.  On the ensuing possession, after Huntington converted two free throws, Katie Sowers connected on a three-pointer, bringing Goshen within seven with under a minute to play.  Huntington closed out the contest by connecting on all four free-throw attempts, successfully preserving the win.

“We played more intensely the second half and took better care of the ball, but we missed a lot of high percentage shots near the basket,” said Wiktorowski.  “Our press got us going and we cut to lead to seven, but they made their free throws late to seal it.  We did a good job on their inside players, but their guard play and rebounding hurt us."

"Cassie Greives had her best all-around game today between scoring, defensive positioning without fouling and rebounding.  Kimmie and Ashley Hummer have been handling the ball better and both had positive assist-to-turnover ratios.  Leah Lehman continues to be our most improved player and Lindsay Gangloff is beginning to show some consistency with her confidence.”

The Leafs (7-13, 1-6) will travel to Indianapolis on Wednesday for a match-up with conference foe Marian College.