OTTAWA – Karsyn Erford dropped a career high 19 points on Saturday afternoon to help Ottawa Glandorf come back to down visiting Toledo Christian 48-42 in a key non-conference clash at the Supreme Court.
Playing in just her third game of the season the OG sophomore guard canned a pair of three point goals and accounted for 14 of her game high 19 markers in the second half to bring the Titans within striking distance and ultimately into the lead.
“It was really nice to have Karsyn back in the lineup today” said Ottawa Glandorf head coach Troy Yant.
Toledo Christian jumped out to an early 6-2 advantage on baskets by Reghan Markley and Myiah Welborn but were quickly tied at 6-6 on baskets by Erford and Katie Kaufman.
Leading 11-8 after the first eight minutes, the Eagles soared to a 24-18 advantage at the break on the back of their fast break offense and OG turnovers. Markley’s triple with 1:08 left in the half pushed the lead to 24-16 for Toledo Christian.
Offensively the third quarter for the visitors belonged to Toledo signee Kendall Braden, a senior who came in with 41 points in her previous two outings against the Titans. Braden accounted for six of the eight points her team scored in the third while the OG defense began to clamp down and create Eagle miscues.
Erford’s triple was just one of two important shots for the host blue and gold in the third as a second from Kaitlyn Kimmet brought the Titans within 32-30 with :22 remaining and capped off a 14-8 run for Troy Yant’s club.
Utilizing a turnover early in the fourth quarter by the Eagles, the Titans gained their first lead of the contest as a three point goal from Kimmet with 6:28 remaining tipped the scales in favor of OG 33-32.
Back to back baskets by Braden off of OG miscues pushed the Eagles back in front 37-33 but would be the last time the visitors would hold the lead as a run from Erford and senior Myka Aldrich sent the Titans back into the lead at 40-37.
Senior standout Katie Kaufman helped to finish off the scoring in the fourth quarter with four of her 14 points to secure the 48-42 victory and join Erford in double figures.
Multiple defenders including Carlie Brinkman, Megan Horstman, and Savannah Recker combined on the afternoon to hold Braden to 18 points, nine below her season average of 27.
“I thought we played extremely well in the 1st half, moving and getting good looks. Defensively we played well the entire game but OG came out in the 2nd half and really took away things offensively for us” said Toledo Christian coach Tim Wensink. “OG scored points in transition and made big shots in the 2nd half.”
Toledo Christian suffers their first loss of the season and fall to 5-1 in their last scheduled trip to the Supreme Court and will next be in action Tuesday hosting Washtenaw Christian Academy.
“I’m extremely proud of how the girls continued to battle when we were down today to earn this win” said Titan boss Troy Yant. “We’ve got some work to do before Monday when we take on Patrick Henry.”
Ottawa Glandorf remains unbeaten with their seventh win of the season and will travel to Hamler on Monday evening when they tangle with Patrick Henry in a non-conference tilt.
Scoring:
OG (48):
Karsyn Erford 19
Carlie Brinkman 2
Katie Kaufman 14
Myka Aldrich 5
Kaitlyn Kimmet 8
3PT: 5 (Erford 3, Kimmet 2)
FT: 9/10
TO: 12
Toledo Christian (42):
Reghan Markley 5
Kendall Braden 18
Ava Neitzke 6
Jenna Reed 7
Grace Fortney 2
Myiah Welborn 4
3PT: 3 (Markley, Braden, Reed)
FT: 2/2
TO: 14