Kirtley Nets 24 in Comfortable RV TU Victory

 

UPLAND, Ind. – RV Taylor (15-3, 8-2 CL) proved to be too much for Huntington (6-6, 3-5 CL) on Wednesday, taking the 92-67 win for the team’s ninth-straight triumph of the year. Kayla Kirtley created the separation, scoring 14 points in the second quarter, before finishing with a career-high 24 points.

 

The junior was on fire in the opening half, hitting six treys without a miss from long range. At the half, Kirtley boasted 20 points and four rebounds. The forward pushed Taylor’s lead to 22 points at the end of the second quarter, scoring 11 points in a 2:30 span, as the Trojans scored on five-consecutive possessions.

 

The Purple and Gold never trailed after the eight-minute mark in the first quarter, gaining a substantial lead in the second stanza. The offense was unstoppable in the second quarter, as the TU squad went 12-13 from the floor and 7-7 from downtown. The host squad compiled 33 points, while dishing out an assist for every made shot.

 

TU cruised to the finish line, cradling the 22-point halftime lead. The reserves brought the game to a 92-67 close for a sixth-straight double-digit win against a Crossroads League foe.

 

For the first time since the 2013-2014 campaign, Lauren James offered a double-double in points and assists for the TU women’s basketball program. The junior guard collected 14 points on 66.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc, while handing out a career-best 11 assists.

 

Freshman Taylor Westgate dominated the paint once again, setting a career-high in back-to-back games with 22 points against Huntington. The forward netted 16 points around the basket, while adding her fourth three-pointer of the season.

 

Five Trojans secured double-digit points on Wednesday, including Ava Henson with 11 and Madisyn Fischer with 10. The duo combined for six triples, while converting at a 50.0 percent clip.

 

Taylor was extremely efficient from long range, sinking 18 three-pointers with a 60.0 three-point field goal percentage on the night. TU did most of its damage in the first half, hitting 12 treys at a 75.0 percent rate.

 

Westgate led the effort on the boards with eight rebounds, as the Trojans outrebounded Huntington, 37-24.

 

TU plans to face off against Huntington again on Saturday at 1:00 pm on the road.