LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Hesston College women's basketball team battled in the CAC Classic hosted by Haskell Indian Nations University over the weekend.
Hesston College 54, Florida National 75
The Hesston College women's basketball team dropped a home contest Saturday afternoon, falling 75–54 to Florida National at Yost Center.
Florida National set the tone early, opening the game with steady offensive execution to build a first-quarter lead. Hesston worked to answer behind strong efforts from Sarah Beltran and Akiva Brown, who attacked the basket and kept the Larks within reach. Despite improved defensive pressure in the second quarter, Florida National continued to convert at the free-throw line and carried a 39–30 advantage into halftime.
Hesston showed resilience coming out of the break, cutting into the deficit early in the third quarter as Beltran continued to lead the offense and Brown provided scoring support. Florida National responded with a balanced attack, extending the lead behind efficient shooting and transition opportunities. The Eagles maintained control through the fourth quarter, using consistent scoring and rebounding to hold off the Larks and secure the road win.
Beltran led Hesston with 14 points, while Brown added 12 points. Gresa Arapi chipped in seven points, and Hanah DeBelle and Brooke Bettis each scored six. Florida National was paced by Valeria Cifuentes and a balanced lineup that helped the visitors pull away in the second half.
Hesston College 46, Haskell 89
The Hesston College women's basketball team faced a tough road test Wednesday night, falling 89–46 to Haskell.
Haskell set the tone early, opening the game with an aggressive offensive push that resulted in a 29-point first quarter. Hesston worked to settle in behind efforts from Beltran and Brown, who looked to attack the basket and generate offense, but the hosts continued to find success from both inside and beyond the arc. Haskell added to its advantage in the second quarter, taking a 42–15 lead into halftime.
The Larks showed renewed energy coming out of the break, finding more rhythm offensively in the third quarter. Beltran continued to lead Hesston's scoring efforts, while Gresa Arapi and Bettis provided support as the Larks looked to cut into the deficit. Haskell responded with consistent execution, extending the lead through efficient shooting and transition opportunities. The hosts closed strong in the fourth quarter, maintaining control on both ends to secure the win.
Beltran led Hesston with 12 points, while Brown added 10 points. Arapi finished with eight points, and Bettis contributed six as the Larks continued to battle throughout the contest. Haskell was paced by a balanced scoring attack that featured multiple players in double figures, allowing the hosts to pull away early and maintain the advantage.
The Larks will be back home on Wednesday to host Calvary University at 5 p.m.
