By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
Backed by four players scoring in double digits, Okarche earned its first win of the season, 61-53 over Lomega at home Tuesday night.
Senior Kassidy Rother, juniors Rachel McDowell and Raegan Robinson and sophomore Madison Owens each scored at least 10 points in the win.
The Warriors and Raiders played a close first half with Okarche taking a 36-33 lead into the break. However, a third-quarter run by Lomega forced a late comeback for coach Kelli Jennings’ team.
The Raiders outscored Okarche 14-4 in the third quarter to take a 47-40 lead going into the final eight minutes. That’s when the Warriors turned it on and sealed the win with a 21-6 run to close it out.
Owens led the way with a team-high 16 points while notching a double-double with 10 rebounds. Rother also recorded a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 boards while Robinson finished with 13 points and three rebounds and McDowell finished with 10 points and four boards.
“Any time two schools play each other with the traditions that Okarche and Lomega have, the stakes are high,” Jennings said after the game. “Tonight was a hard-fought battle and the girls found a way to win a big game early in the season.”
The Warriors out-rebounded the Raiders 36-29 in the game while forcing 18 turnovers. Robinson finished with five steals while junior Marlo Hunt finished with five. Rother blocked two shots for Okarche as well.
The free-throw line kept Lomega in the game as the Raiders went 18-for-25 from the stripe while Okarche went 17-for-31.
“Our goal is to get better each game,” Jennings said. “From last Friday to tonight, I felt there were areas we did improve on. In the same breath, though, there is so much room for growth with this group.”
The Warriors look for their second win of the season season Friday at Dover before traveling to Calumet next Tuesday. The team’s next home game is scheduled for Nov. 27 against Dale.
