On Senior Night, senior Nova Okuley joined the 1,000-point club with a game-high 20 points as the Tinora Lady Rams picked up a big home win over the visiting Montpelier Lady Locos.

On a night that started with the Lady Rams honoring their five-member senior class, Eowyn Blanchard, Amelia Coy, Julia Durfey, Emma Bailey, and Nova Okuley, Okuely. Okuley’s right-wing three-pointer near the third quarter’s end was the night’s highlight.

Okuley, a four-year starter, is now the fifth member of the Lady Rams basketball 1000-point club, joining fellow Lady Rams Kristina Behnfeldt (1460), Sarah Slattman (1342), Lori Harris (1226), and Sheri Plassman (1032).

Despite the early defensive pressure by the Lady Locos, the Lady Rams jumped out to an early 15-8 lead after the initial quarter. Julia Durfey put the Lady Rams on top 2-0, a lead they would never relinquish.

The second quarter saw senior Lady Ram Julia Durfey catch fire, known for being the defensive stopper for Tinora, Durfey pumped in eight first-half points, along with Okuley’s 12, to send Tinora to the locker room with a 26-23 lead at the half.

Montpelier was led by Kelsie Bumb, who scored seven first-half points.

The third quarter would see the Lady Ram’s offense continue to impress; Tinora would throw in 19 third-quarter points to take a 45-36 advantage through three quarters. Julia Durfey would bucket nine points in the quarter. The highlight of the quarter and game was Nova Okuley’s three-pointer from the right wing with four seconds remaining in the third.

Montpelier would continue to chip away at the Tinora lead, getting it crunched down to as few as one, 48-47 with 2:55 to go. After a Durfey offensive rebound for Tinora, fellow senior Eowyn Blanchard would nail a left-wing three, putting the Lady Rams ahead 51-47. The Lady Locos would cut it to three but see teammates Lyla Mahan and Jada Uribes foul out in the final two minutes.

Tinora’s Christina Meyer would hit two huge free throws, giving the Rams a 53-47 lead with 1:04 remaining before Kelsie Bumb’s long-distance three kept Montpelier within arm lengths at 53-50 with 55 seconds remaining. Blanchard’s free throw would give the Lady Rams a 54-50 lead, a lead Tinora would take to the final buzzer, 58-50.

Okuley would end the night on 1,000, she did not score in the final stanza.

Montpelier 8-15-13-14=50
Tinora 15-11-19-13=58

Montpelier scoring: Bumb 13, Hillard 10, Z Uribes 12, Hahan 2, Ramos 0, Feeney 4, Hopper 2, J Uribes 7

Tinora scoring: Meyer 9, Blanchard 11, Creps 0, Coy 0, Durfey 16, Okuley 20, Bailey 2

Three-point goals Montpelier – Bumb 4, J Urbies. Tinora – Durfey 4, N. Okuley 2, Blanchard

Montpelier drops to 12-5. The Lady Locos will host Pettisville on Thursday,

Tinora, 9-8, will head to Ayersville on Thursday in the latest edition of the River Rivalry.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Nova Okuley; what an accomplishment, Nova!

All pics below, Sarah Harris!

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