GIRLS BASKETBALL
By Trey Hunter
Sports Editor
Fifth-ranked Okarche bounced back after a loss to Dale Tuesday to knock off Oklahoma Christian Academy, 48-34 Friday night in Edmond.
The Warriors and Eagles entered the second quarter tied 6-6 before Okarche caught fire and cruised to a three-quarter run that would ultimately seal the victory. The Warriors outscored Oklahoma Christian 19-6 in the second quarter and 14-11 in the third before the lead was cut by two points in the final eight minutes.
Senior Kassiday Rother, who finished with a game-high 16 points, scored all six of the team’s points in the first quarter on a pair of three-point makes. Okarche’s defense held the Eagles to a pair of buckets and two free throws to go into the second quarter tied 6-6.
The Warriors exploded in the second period with 19 points on six field goals and clutch free-throw shooting.
Sophomore Madison Owens chipped in five points, including a make from three-point range while freshman Karsyn Vallerand scored five as well with a bucket and three free throws. Senior Jade Owens scored four points on a pair of field goals while juniors Marlo Hunt, Rachel McDowell and Reagan Robinson combined for five points on a bucket and three free throws.
The Warriors kept things going after halftime, pouring in 14 points in the third quarter while holding OCA to 11.
Okarche drilled three triples in the quarter, including one from Rother who scored five points in the frame. Robinson and Jade Owens each hit a shot from long range while McDowell drilled three of four from the charity stripe to give the Warriors a 16-point cushion heading into the final eight minutes.
Rother again scored five points in the final quarter to help secure the win. She drilled two shots from the field, including a three-pointer. Madison Owens and Robinson combined for four points while Okarche’s defense again held the Eagles to 11 points in the frame.
Behind Rother’s 16 points, five other Warriors scored at least five, including Madison and Jade Owens each with seven, Robinson with six and Vallerand and McDowell with five apiece. Hunt finished with two points.
The Warriors look for back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they travel to Garber for the 2018 Garber Tournament this weekend. Okarche returns home Friday Dec. 14 to take on Watonga.
