Foresters close out 2024 with 111-35 blowout over Great Lakes

Huntington, Ind. – The HU women's basketball team heads into the new year on a high note having blown out Great Lakes Christian 111-35 Monday afternoon in the friendly confines of Platt Arena.

It's the second time this season Huntington has hit the century mark, and the most points scored in a game since November of 2016 when the Foresters disposed of Great Lakes 114-28. Not surprisingly, HU did a lot of things well which included tickling the twine to the tune of 55.7 percent, dropping in a season-best 44 field goals. The hosts also pulled down a season-high 17 offensive boards and committed a season-low seven turnovers.

It took Maggard and crew a few minutes to settle in, giving up the lead for a possession early in the first quarter, before skirting in front of their visitors for good on Kyndell Jochim's trey five minutes in for a permanent lead of 11-9.

The 6-1 sophomore finished with three triples in the first six minutes of the contest on the way to pouring in a game-best and career-high 21 points in 20 minutes of PT. She finished with five threes and ripped down five boards to round out her standout performance.

Jochim wasn't the only Forester to put up impressive numbers. It was an afternoon where everyone scored at least four points. Annaka Nelson filled the stat sheet by posting 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals.

Lauryn Merritt was sensational off the bench. The 6-4 center scored her first collegiate bucket in the second quarter and never looked back, erupting for ten points in addition taking charge of the glass by corralling a game-best 12 rebounds for a double double. She also collected two steals and dished out an assist.

The other four who came off the bench for Coach Maggard also sparked HU. Kyndra Sheets tossed in 12 points and handed out three dimes. Addie Shank registered 11 points and seven boards while Ruby Bolon dropped in ten and Teegan Acres spotted up for a trio of three-pointers for nine points. HU's bench accounted for 52 of the team's 111 points.

Additionally, Bailey Kelham finished in double figures with 13 as the seventh Forester to score at least ten points.

After giving up 15 points in the first quarter for a 28-15 difference at the first break, HU clamped down defensively, allowing just 20 points the rest of the way. The gap grew to 56-22 by halftime, an 87-27 disparity after three quarters before 76 points separated the two teams by game's end.

MaKensie Mondy paced the Crusaders (3-7) with 15 points as GLC's only double-digit scorer.

The Foresters (8-6) now turn their attention exclusively to conference play. They will hit the road for #15 Marian Saturday with a 1:00 p.m. tip-off.

The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 160 NAIA All-America honors and 567 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.