Ovid-Elsie jumped out to a 21-8 first quarter lead but it was Ionia who turned things up in the second quarter outscoring OE 17-2 and took a 25-23 lead into halftime.

"It was one of the best opening quarters I've seen us play in years," said Head Coach Ryan Cunningham, "but we missed a bunch of bunnies in that second stanza and it cost us.  But give our kids credit, they never folded."

The Lady Marauders would reclaim the lead in the third  (43-34) by outscoring the Bulldogs 20-9 but Ionia would once again even things up with an 18-11 fourth quarter surge.

"Ionia is solid and they have a strong post presence that we struggled with.  She (Reams) ended up with 20 points," noted Cunningham.

The big moment of the game came when OE had a player injured on a shooting foul.  Rylee Lewis checked into the game without any warning, stepped to the line and buried two free throws with under 6 seconds left in the game.  On the ensuing possession, Kaylee Hall hustled to tip the ball away from a would-be Ionia scorer as time expired.

"I couldn't be more happy for Rylee," said Coach Cunningham.  "We have a solid team and when things are going well, you don't go as deep into your rotation.  But Lewis stepped into the most nerve-racking, pressure situation you could possibly put a kid in and she delivered."

Caitlyn Walter had a team high 18 points to go along with 4 assists and 3 steals, while Kiah Longoria hit three triples en route 9 points.  Braeden Tokar (6 rebounds) and Evalyn Cole (4 assists & 7 steals) each added 7 points.  Hailee Campbell had a team high 8 steals to go along with her 5 points.  Ava Bates chipped in with 4 points and Rylee Lewis and Braylon Byrnes 2 points each.

The Lady Marauders (1-0) will have a quick turn around to get ready for the Bath Bees who will visit OE on Thursday night.  Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m.