Okarche topples Crescent in TRC matchups

The rubber match goes to Okarche.

The Lady Warriors secured at least a tie of the Three Rivers Conference regular season title last Tuesday with a 45-30 home win over Crescent.

It was Okarche’s seventh straight win since losing to Crescent in the semifinals of the conference tournament.

It was also the Lady Warriors’ second win against Crescent during that stretch, the other coming in the finals of Coyle’s tournament last Saturday.

The difference Tuesday was the second quarter when Okarche outscored the Lady Tigers 21-6 to open up a 19-point lead.

Kassidy Rother scored 10 points in that quarter and finished with a game-high 16.

Marlo Hunt poured in 10 more points.

Crescent got 11 points each from Elizabeth Battelo and Katie Cronister.

Okarche moved to 18-5 overall and 5-0 in the conference. It plays at Cashion Tuesday night, which is currently 4-1 in conference games.

Crescent dropped to 13-7 and finished 4-2 in conference games.

A halftime adjustment allowed Okarche to pull away from Crescent Tuesday night in a 64-45 victory.

The Warriors surrendered 29 points in the first half and led by five points, but allowed just five second-half field goals.

“We made some adjustments defensively at halftime and that helped us a lot,” said Okarche coach Ray West.

His team upped its record to 18-5 overall and 4-1 in the conference. Crescent dropped to 5-14 and 0-6.

Tucker Neuenschwander continued his stellar play with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Cris Avila led the team with 20 points while Kaleb Harris scored 13 and dished out six assists.

That trio helped Okarche outscore Crescent 30-16 in the second half.

Trent Fisher and Hunter Bowers scored 10 apiece for the Tigers.