In a tail of two halves, the visiting Hilltop Cadets rallied for a 49-46 win over the host Tinora Lady Rams.

Both Tinora and Hilltop battled to a 13-13 tie after the initial eight minutes of play, in a thrilling first quarter of play.

The second quarter was more up and down, back and forth action as the Lady Rams and senior Nova Okuley scorched the nets for 19 points, taking a 32-21 lead to the half.

Okuley poured in eight points in the first quarter and another 10 points in the second for a game high 18 points at the half. Julie Durfey and the Tinora defense limited the reigning player of the year in the Buckeye Boarder Conference, Libby Baker to just two free throws, and 2 points total.

After halftime adjustments by head coach Tony Grime, the Lady Cadets came out a blazing in the third stanza as Hilltop threw in 21 third quarter points for a 42-39 lead after three. Molly Dickenson bucketed nine points in the quarter for Hilltop.

The key play of the third quarter, and possible the game, came as senior Libby Baker rebounded a missed Cadet free throw, put up a shot at the buzzer that fell in, and was fouled on the play. Baker converted the old school three point play, giving the Cadets the three point lead through 24 minutes of play.

The final quarter saw both teams struggle from the field, each team scoring seven points.

Hilltop held a 49-46 advantage with 8.1 seconds of the clock as were fouled, the Cadets missed two free throws, giving the Lady Rams a chance at the tie.

After a Coach Thiel Timeout, the Lady Rams had great execution on a three point attempt at the buzzer, unfortunately the shhot from the left wing was off, Hilltop survived the scare, leaving with a 49-46 thrilling win on the road at Tinora.

HILLTOP 13–8-21-7=49
TINORA 13-19-7-7=46

Hilltop scoring: Dickenson 9, Routt 0, Baker 12, Vanarsdalen 6, K Bailey 10, Connoly 5, Crossgrove 6

Tinora scoring: Meyer 5, Spangler 2, Blanchard 8. Creps 0, Coy 0, Durfey 8, Okuley 23, E Bailey 0

Hilltop improves to 3-0 and will host North Central Tuesday.

Tinora drops to 0-3 and will travel to Continental on Thursday.

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