Tinora’s Adam Spychala nailed his fourth three-pointer, and most importantly, his 14th point of the 65th River Rivalry in the closing seconds on the road vs the Pilots Friday night.

Spychala’s basket with just under three seconds remaining gave the Tinora Rams a 55-54 thrilling win over the Ayersville Pilots at the Hanger in Ayersville.

The first 16 minutes of the game was a good old-fashioned shootout, as both teams combined for 60 points in the initial half.

Tinora’s Owen Ackerman led the charge in the initial quarter as he would score 10 of his 14 overall points, the Rams exited the first quarter with an 18-17 lead. Ayersville’s Carter Michael would come close to matching Ackerman as he would tally seven Pilot points.

The second quarter from a jammed, packed house would see another high-scoring quarter. The Pilots would garner 8 points in the quarter to Tinora’s 17. Tinora would hold a 35-25 lead at the half.

The Ayersville defense would put the clamps on Ackerman, limiting the senior to just two points in the second quarter. The Pilots Jeremiah Peak would hit three deep threes in the initial half for nine points. 

Tinora’s Connor Welling played a great defensive half, coming up with numerous steals, and pitched in with seven first-half points.

The third quarter would see the brakes being put on both offenses. As the first half saw the open play, the third quarter saw both defenses step up and try to take charge. 

An Aiden Rittenhouse fallaway jumper in the lane would give Tinora a 39-27 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the third. Rittenhouse would bucket seven points in the third for Tinora.

Carter Michael would try to keep the Pilots alive, scoring four points, but Tinora would still take a 43-35 lead through three quarters.

The fourth quarter would see the Rams offense struggle to score while the Pilot defense and offense would step to the front.

Tinora would score just two points over the first five minutes of the final quarter, meanwhile, the Ayersville offense would come alive. 

Garret Flory hit a three-pointer with just over six minutes remaining, and the Rams lead was cut to 45-40. Jeremiah Peak would drain another Pilot three, cutting the lead to 45-43 with five minutes remaining.

Brady Clark’s baseline jumper tied the game at 45-45, with 4:30 on the clock, an 8-0 Pilot run.

The comeback for Ayersville was complete as the Pilots would finally take their first lead, 47-45, with a Garrett Flory bucket with 4:05 remaining in the final quarter.

The Pilots Carter Michael would foul out with 3:45 on the clock, and Carter exited with 15 points.

The Rams still had been held to just 2 points in the quarter, as Aiden Rittenhouse would hit two free throws to tie the game at 47-47 with 1:30 on the clock.

Ayersville’s Brady Clark would score and be fouled with 1:10 on the clock, giving the Pilots a 49-47 advantage. Clark would miss the free throw, but Peake would grab the offensive rebound for the Pilots. 

After the rebound, Ayersville would drain the game clock down to 34 seconds, and after a Rams foul, the Pilots would head to the free throw line. Peake would hit both free throws, and Ayersville led 51-47.

Owen Ackerman would score his first points of the half, his 14th, on a drive with 25 seconds on the clock, the Rams still trailed 51-49.

Two Garret Flory free throws extended the Pilots lead to 53-49 with 23 seconds on the clock.

On the ensuing play, the Pilots almost had a steal with 16 seconds remaining, fortunately for Tinora, the ball bounced off a Pilot hand, into the fingers of Aiden Rittenhouse who would nail a left-wing three with 13 seconds left.

The Pilots would again be fouled and head to the free throw line, this time the free throws were split, the first missed, and the second made by Flory, and the Pilots led 54-52 with 13 seconds left.

After the inbounds pass, the Rams would come down with just under 10 seconds remaining in the game. After a pass from the left wing by Connor Welling to teammate Adam Spychala, he hit a three-pointer from the top of the key with two seconds remaining. The Pilots would attempt a half-court shot, but it would not fall. 

The Rams would come away with a thrilling win in the River Rivalry.

TINORA 18-17-8-12=55
AYERSVILLE 17-8-1-=19=54

Tinora scoring: Ackerman 14, Welling 7, Homier 2, Rittenhouse 18, Spychala 14
Ayersville scoring: Clark 8, Hinckle 3, Armoroso 4, Flory 10, Michel 15

JV Tinora 46-34
Pilots: Lloyd 7 – Rams Gentit 20

Tinora improves to 4-9, 2-1 in the GMC. Tinora will host Hilltop on Military appreciation night Saturday, 1/27. 
Veterans are admitted free with two free items from the concession stand as well.

Ayersville falls to 6-7, 1-2 in the GMC. The Pilots will play at Delphos Jefferson.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Adam Spychala, great job, Adam!

A big thanks to Ayersville interim AD Chad Savage for providing a fantastic venue, and a great night of activities

Watch the win! Click below: