ARCHBOLD – Other than the Wayne Trace Raiders, no team has had the number of the Tinora Rams basketball team over the past two decades like the Archbold Bluestreaks.

The 9-7 ‘Streaks welcomed in the 15-2 Tinora Rams for a Saturday night battle. The overall series was lopsided, Archbold had with 12 straight wins in the series, and winners of 16 of the last 17 with the last win for the Rams in the series was in 2013, a 55-50 win.

Tinora finally threw the the Wayne Trace monkey off their backs two weeks ago, up next was the host Bluestreaks.

The initial eight minutes saw both teams click offensively as Archbold would take a 14-10 lead after one quarter of play at the Thunderdome. Josh Lieb threw in five fist points quarter points for the Rams, while Archbold’s Sonny Phillips bucketed five as well.

Both teams continued to click offensively as each put up 16 second quarter points. Archbold would grab a 30-26 lead at the half. The ‘Streaks would extend their second quarter lead to as many as 24-15 with 3:30 in the half on a Evan Wendt three, Wendt would have 10 first half points.

Isaiahs Gracia’s three pointer, and then circus shot to start the second quarter kick started a Archbold run. Despite falling behind 28-17, the Tinora offense mounted a end of half comeback, sparked by Owen Ferrell three pointer, followed by a Alex Homier three, the lead to four at the half.

Tinora leading scorer Connor Welling was held scoreless in the first half.

The third quarter saw both teams hot shooting in the first 16 minutes cool down, both squads were held to just five points each as Archbold maintained their lead over Tinora, taking a 35-31 lead after the third quarter.

Archbold would again shut down the Ram attack in the final stanza, allowing just five points in the quarter, and 10 total second half points.

Sonny Phillip’s drive and score would increase the Archbold lead to 41-31 midway through the final period. Owen Ferrell’s left wing three would cut the Archbold lead to 41-34 with just under three minutes in regulation play. Unfortunately for Tinora, Archbold would close the quarter on a 7-2 run, coming away with a 48-36 win over the Tinora Rams.

Tinora would see their six game winning streak end, while Archbold ended their three game losing streak.

TINORA 10-16-5-5 = 36
ARCHBOLD 14-16-5-13 = 48

Tinora scoring: Schaufele 2, Ferrell 9, Welling 7, Homier 5, Lieb 8, Hancock 0, Spychala 5.

Archbold scoring: Gracia 8, Phillips 7, Krieger 2, Wendt 16, Harris 2, Piercefield 1, Valentine 3, Nofziger 9

Freshman: Archbold
JV: Archbold

Tinora falls to 15-3. The Rams can can at least a tie for the GMC title with a win next Friday as they travel to Hicksville before traveling to take on a very good Pettisville team next Saturday.

Archbold will host Wauseon next friday before traveling to Napoleon Saturday.