DEFIANCE – For the Lady Rams, it was just what the Dr ordered, a defensive stand to save the day.
After a few offensive and defensive collapses during the previous night’s loss to Ayersville, the Lady Rams went through a few offensive and defensive drills during pregame warm-ups.
Tinora dropped a thriller to Ayersville 41-36, and Defiance was defeated by Archbold 43-36 in the previous nights initial games.
The Bulldogs grabbed the lead late in the first quarter from the Lady Rams, who lead initially 6-2 after the first three minutes of play at the DPT Classic consolations game. Defiance would take a 13-10 lead to the second quarter.
The second quarter was again in favor of the hosts, the Lady ‘Dogs. Defiance would jump out to a 19-15 lead to start the second quarter of play. Defiance would lead by as much as six, 26-21, with just over 60 seconds remaining in the first half.
Two made free throws by Karli Okuley, and then a three pointer by Liv Mueller in the final 45 seconds cut the Defiance lead at the half to 27-26.
Mueller led the Lady Rams with 12 first quarter points.
Defiance was paced by Mira Horvath who had six.
The second half would be the Horvath and Mueller show. The Lady Rams offense and defense would finally click in the third quarter. Tinora would go on an 11-3 run midway through the third stanza. Buckets by Mueller and Lee would give Tinora a 37-31 lead with three minutes left in the quarter. The Lady Rams would lead 41-34 as the third quarter ended.
Defiance and Horvath would gradually chip away at the Tinora lead slowly in the final quarter. She would cut the Lady Rams lead to one, 47-46 with just over four minutes remaining.
After 90 seconds of turnovers for both teams, and several timeouts by both teams as well, the game was still tight at 47-46. A Liv Mueller drive and score would give Tinora a 49-46 lead. A Defiance timeout would follow the Mueller bucket.
Defiance Kendallyne Kroeckel 15 foot jumper would cut the Rams lead back to one, 49-48 with 44 seconds remaining.
Defiance would have to commit three straight fouls to get the Lady Rams in the bonus for one and one free throws. The third foul for Defiance sent the Lady Rams to the line for the front end of a one and one with 34 seconds remaining. Tinora would miss the first, Defiance would grab the rebound with a chance for the lead.
Defiance Horvath would seem to have a wide open layup with just over 15 seconds remaining, however Tinora’s Addison Lee came out of nowhere for the block, preserving the Lady Rams one point lead with 13 seconds left.
The Lady Rams would again head to the free throw line, again missing the free throw, after the ball would ping pong around for a few seconds, the Rams would be whistled for a bizarre over and back turnover.
Again, with the Rams leading 49-48, Defiance would have a chance for the lead with 8.5 seconds left. With Maggi Nagel guarding the inbounds play, the future DIV II Tiffin volleyball recruit knocked the first inbound attempt into the stands.
On the second attempt, Nagel would steal the inbounds pass, flipping it ahead to Karli Okuley who put it in, capping the Rams 51-48 victory over Defiance.
The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game award went to Maggi Nagel. Congratulations, Maggi.
With the win, the Lady Rams even their record at 303. Tinora is in action Saturday afternoon vs Liberty Center. JV 1 pm, Varsity 3 pm.
Defiance falls to 0-5, the Lady ‘Dogs will host St. Mary’s on Thursday, 12/8.
Ayersville defeated Archbold 40-29 for the DTP 2022 Championship
All Tournament team was Liv Mueller of Tinora, Mira Horvath of Defiance, Sophi Rupp of Archbold, Neva Sheets Ayersville, and Kaylee Dockery Ayersville. MVP Ally Schindler Ayersville
Miss the action? Listen back below.
TINORA 10 16 15 10 51
DEFIANCE 13 14 7 14 48
TINORA SCORING
Mueller 19
K Okuley 8
N Okuley 6
Durfey 6
Lee 5
Nagel 5
Harr 2
D Sines 2
AYERSVILLE SCORING
Horvath 19
Garcia 10
Kroeckel 7
Meynard 5
Hoffman 5
McDonald 2
