The post holiday blues were in full force in the initial half as the Wauseon Indians and Tinora Rams battled in a non-conference game on a chilly Tuesday night at Tinora High School.

Neither the host Lady Rams nor the guest Indians of Wauseon could get much going in the initial 16 minutes of play, as the Grinch left town, leaving a cover on each team’s basket.

Wauseon let after one period of play, 7-4. The Lady Rams made a run midway through the second stanza, grabbing a 14-12 lead at the half.

Wauseon’s Aunali Reyes led the Indians with seen first half points, while the Lady Rams were led by Eowyn Blanchard with five points.

The second half saw the Lady Rams jump out to a 21-12 lead with 3:51 in the third on a Karli Okuly inbounds play from Julia Durfey.

After a Wauseon timeout after the Okuley basket, the Indians proceeded to go on a 9-2 run to close the Tinora gap to 24-21. 

Nova Okuley hit a three right before the end of the third quarter buzzer sounded, giving the Lady Rams a 27-21 lead after three.

The final quarter, a quarter neither team will be sending out instructional videos on free throw shooting.
Tinora saw Wauseon roar back, eventually grabbing a 31-27 lead on the Lady Rams early on in the fourth quarter.

Eowyn Blanchard would give the Lady Rams the lead back on a deep right wing three, 32-31 4:20 remaining in the final period.

Nova Okuley would drain another Tinora three pointer, giving Tinora a 35-31 lead with 2:45 remaining, the fun was just beginning, unless you are a coach of either team.

Wauseon’s Makenzie Stasa, who had 13 points, cut the Tinora lead to 35-33 on a drive and score with two minutes in the contest.

Leading 35-33, the Lady Rams continued to march to the free throw line over the final 90 seconds, unfortunately, Tinora could only convert on 2 of their final 10 free throws over this timeframe.

Trailing 36-33, Wauseon’s Stasa headed to the free thrown line for the Indians with 45 seconds remaining, she hit both, cutting the Tinora lead to 36-35.

The Tinora defense forced a Wauseon turnover with 10 seconds remaining in the game, Tinora’s Julia Durfey was fouled and split the free throws, giving the Lady rams a 37-35 lead at 8.9 seconds in the final quarter.

On the second missed free throw, Wauseon had a chance to tie or win with eight seconds remaining, unfortunately for the Indians, a final shot at the buzzer was no good, Tinora escaped with a thrilling win, 37-37.

Tinora shot just 22 percent at the free throw line (4-of-18)

Wauseon 7-5-9-14=35
Tinora 4-10-13-10=37

Wauseon Scoring: Stasa 13, Tester 7, Coronado 6, Reyes 9

Tinora scoring: Lee, 2, K. Okuley 7, Blanchard 11, Durfey 3, N. Okuley 14

Three-point goals: Wauseon — Stasa 3, Coronado 2. Tinora — Blanchard 3, N. Okuley 2.

Wauseon falls to 5-5 and will play Bryan on Thursday to start NWOAL play.

Tinora improves to 5-3 and will travel to Edgerton to start GMC play.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Eowyn Blanchard, congratulations!!

Junior varsity game, Wauseon 30-21.
Indians – Ella Tule 12, Tinora Christina Meyer 7