AYERSVILLE – Throw the records out the window when these two teams meet, no matter what the sport, tonight was nothing different.

The Lady Rams loaded the bus and headed across the river to take on rival Ayersville in the latest edition of the River Rivalry.

The Lady Rams coming in to the game off an emotional high after defeating a very good Montpelier team on Tuesday, and seeing teammate Nova Okuley join the 1,000 point club, entered at 10-8, 3-2 in the GMC, while the Pilots came in with a young team at 4-13, 1-4 in conference play.

The initial quarter from The Hanger saw Tinora jump out to an early 10-4 lead. The Lady Rams defense forced multiple turnovers and crashed the offensive and defensive boards.
The issue, if any, was the fouls on the Lady Rams piled up early. Senior Eowyn Blanchard nailed five first quarter points for Tinora, while Peyton Ensign hit four pints for the Pilots.

Quarter two would see more of the same, great defense by Tinora, and more foul issues for Coach Thiel and his Lady Rams. Thiel went to his bench, and boy did they respond.

As the second stanza unwound, Amelia Coy played great defense and hit a three pointer, while Madison Spangler had her best quarter of the season. Spangler responded with her high energy play, throwing in nine points while playing tenacious defense.
The Lady Rams duo of Tatum Creps and Emma Bailey would dominate the paint for the Lady Rams, shutting down the Pilots inside game.

Spangler and the bench crew sparked her teammates as the Lady Rams grabbed a 31-15 halftime lead.

Spangler and Blanchard each had nine in the initial half to lead the way for Tinora, while Kendra Waldron led the Pilots with six.

Tinora expanded their lead to as many as 20, and took a 40-23 lead after three quarters. Nova Okuley got rolling for the Lady Rams with nine second half points, on her way to 12.
Blanchard would be held to one three pointer, but also net a game high 12 points.

The Lady Rams would continue to lead into the fourth quarter, and take back home a 53-31 win in the River Rivalry.

Tinora’s Madison Spangler would set a careen high with 11 points, while grabbing 6 rebounds.

This was Tinora’s first win in the series since 2022, the Lady Rams had lost the three previous meetings.

TINORA 10-21-9-13 = 53
AYERSVILLE 4-11-8-8 = 31

Tinora scoring: Meyer 4, Spangler 11, Blanchard 12, Creps 4, Coy 3, Durfey 5, N Okuley 12, Bailey 0, Spieth 2, I Okuley 0, Zimmerman 0, Homier 0

Ayersville: Greve 2, Waldron 10, Eldrige 3, Knueven 8, Ensighn 8

JV – Tinora

Tinora improves to 10-8, 4-2 in the GMC. The Rams will travel to Elmwood Saturday.

Ayersville falls to 4-14, 1-5 in conference play.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Madison Spangler, great job, Madison!

Watch the game below: