Tinora’s Eowyn Blanchard hit two free throws in the final 30 seconds to lift the Tinora Lady Rams to a 28-26 win over the visiting Stryker Panthers.

Playing with just six healthy bodies, coach Conner Ruffer and her Stryker Panthers battled the host Lady Rams all the way to the final buzzer.

After Tinora’s Blanchard missed her second of two free throws, Stryker had a chance at a tie or win in the final seconds, unfortunately the clock ran out before Stryker could get off a final shot.

The first half was a defensive battle for both teams, the game was tied 7-7 after one quarter of play and again tied at the half, 13-13.

Reiss Creighton led the Panthers at the half with seven points, Tatum Creps led Tinora with eight first half points.

Tinora grabbed the biggest lead for either team at 21-14 midway through the third quarter, however the gritty Panthers battled back to close the gap to 23-21 after three quarters. Julie Durfey ignited the Tinora offense in the third quarter, throwing down seven points and playing the roll of stopper on defense.

Tinora held the lead through the final eight minutes of play, but struggled to put the game away from the line, hitting just 3-17 free throws on the night.

Each team scored five points in the fianl stanza with the Lady Rams coming away with a hard fought 28-26 win.

The Panthers stingy defense held Tinora’s leading scorer, Nova Okuley, to just two points.

STRYKER 7-6-8-5=26
TINORA 7-6-10-5=28

Stryker Scoring: Froelich 9, Oberlin 4, Creighton 8, Clemens 3, Donovan 2, Fulk 0

Tinora scoring: Meyer 1, Spangler 0, Blanchard 8, Creps 8, Coy 0, Durfey 7, Okuley 2, Bailey 2

Stryker falls to 5-4 on the season and will play on Jan 3 @ Fayette

Tinora improves to 5-6 and will travel to Antwerp on 1/2/2025

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Julia Durfey, congratulations, Julia!

Watch back below (Audio lost last 4 mins)

Game video below: