CONVOY – It was a back-and-forth battle for the ages Thursday night at Ray Etzler Gymnasium as a pair of undefeated teams took the floor.
Karsyn Erford turned in a highlight night to lift Ottawa-Glandorf’s girls basketball team past Crestview late, 47-45.
“It was a great game with a tournament atmosphere,” Ottawa-Glandorf coach Troy Yant said. “They are a well-coached team, it felt like we never really got out of the mud tonight.”
The Titans (10-0) bolted out to an advantage of 10-2 and looked to put down the Knights early. Katie Kaufman collected five points in the first eight minutes, Carlie Brinkman connected on a triple with 3:17 remaining in the quarter to give Ottawa-Glandorf its largest lead of the first half.
In the next two minutes, Crestview weathered the storm and clawed back within two before the quarter break thanks to baskets by Kaci Gregory, Ellie Kline, and Cali Gregory.
Each team went past the midway point of the second quarter before finding a first field goal. Crestview outdueled Ottawa-Glandorf 14-11 in the frame while finding success inside the paint. The Knights did not attempt a three-point field goal in the first half.
Ellie Kline gave Crestview (9-1) the lead with 3:30 ticking down at 16-15 before a basket seconds later by the Titan’s Erford created another lead change.
The hosting Knights took the lead at halftime 22-21.
“I think we got stops on defense, and offensively we found some openings and took advantage,” said Crestview coach Mark Gregory. “Tonight was just a battle, and it was a great measuring stick. I am happy with our effort.”
The trio of Etzler, Kline, and Gregory each added four points to their total in the third quarter as the Knights continued to find success from the field while limiting the Titan chances.
Ottawa-Glandorf was held to just one field goal in the frame until Brinkman scored on a move inside the paint and behind the arc in back-to-back possessions to bring her team within two points at quarter’s end.
“Carlie (Brinkman) hit some big buckets when we needed them,” Yant said. “We needed her to step up tonight, and she did just that.”
Brinkman continued her hot shooting once play began in the fourth quarter. Carlie reeled the Titans within one before Erford gave Ottawa-Glandorf the lead with 5:43 to play. Brinkman collected her fourth personal foul with 5:19 left and went to the bench temporarily.
The Knights and Titans exchanged baskets back-and-forth until Ottawa-Glandorf’s Kaufman’s two put the Titans ahead 43-41 with 2:35 remaining and forced the hosts into a timeout.
Erford was dominant from the free-throw line Thursday night, hitting 8 of 10, including 3 of 4 in the fourth quarter. She sealed the Titans’ tenth victory of the season with 25.7 seconds to play.
“Karsyn stepped up for us tonight. Karsyn did a whale of a job for us with two starters on the bench,” Yant said. “I am just proud of the way our girls fought all the way through.”
The Titans will play host Fort Loramie on Saturday afternoon. Crestview will return to league play next Thursday at Columbus Grove.
Ottawa-Glandorf 47, Crestview 45
Ottawa-Glandorf 10 11 11 15 – 47
Crestview 8 14 14 11 – 45
Nate Stidham wrote this for LimaScores.com.
