OTTAWA – St. Marys air raid attack found itself grounded on Thursday night at the Supreme Court as the Roughriders connected on just a pair of three point goals in a 49-27 setback to host Ottawa Glandorf.
Trailing 4-0 in the first off of baskets from Karsyn Erford and Katie Kaufman, the Riders pulled within 4-3 thanks to sharpshooter Sophia Menker but were unable to draw any closer as the Titans finished the period on a 9-2 run.
Utilizing 14 first half St. Marys turnovers the blue and gold of OG raced to a 26-9 lead at the break on the back of multiple scores from juniors Kaitlyn Kimmet and Carlie Brinkman. Ottawa Glandorf held the visiting Riders to just four makes from the field from four different players while touching the bottom of the net with six of their own.
Cadence Hirschfeld propped up the St. Marys offense in the third period with two makes in the early moments before a nearly three and a half minute span saw the Titans Katie Kaufman take over with six, including her teams only two connections from the field.
Trailing 35-17 heading into the final eight minutes after an Ella Jacobs basket the Roughriders cut the deficit to 45-20 with 5:30 remaining on the second of their deep balls, a wing make from Allemeier.
Triples by Savannah Recker and Kimmet and a pair of baskets from 6’2 freshman Madison McKee provided the final tallies for the Titans as they raced away with a 49-27 victory, their 13th consecutive win against the Roughriders.
“I thought defensively the girls did a pretty good job with their assignments” said Titan boss Troy Yant. “Myka, Megan, Savannah, and Liv all gave us solid minutes when it seemed some of our other starters were struggling a bit. Hopefully we can get a bit healthier before Sunday.”
St. Marys (6-6, 2-2) was led in scoring by Sophia Menker’s seven while the trio of Ella Jacobs, Reagan Allemeier, and Cadence Hirschfeld ended with six each. Junior standout Reese Rable, the leader in threes for the Riders was held scoreless in the contest by the relentless Titan defense.
Next Thursday the Roughriders return to Western Buckeye League play as they welcome Van Wert to St. Marys.
Ottawa Glandorf (12-1, 4-0), ranked #2 in the first state poll of the season will head to Berlin Hiland next for a Sunday 12pm outing against Smithville as part of the 21st annual Classic in the Country Classic.
Katie Kaufman’s 10th double figure scoring game of the season led the way with 13 points for OG while Carlie Brinkman joined Kaufman with 10 of her own.
Scoring:
OG (49):
Liv Grothause 2
Karsyn Erford 5
Carlie Brinkman 10
Savannah Recker 4
Madison McKee 4
Katie Kaufman 13
Myka Aldrich 4
Kaitlyn Kimmet 7
3PT: 2 (Kimmet, Recker)
FT: 7/12
TO: 17
St. Marys (27):
Ella Jacobs 6
Reagan Allemeier 6
Sophia Menker 7
Cadence Hirschfeld 6
Ashlie Nuss 2
3PT: 2 (Menker, Allemeier)
FT: 1/2
TO: 22
JV: St. Marys 39-33