VERDIGRIS — With the game tightening, Verdigris answered the moment the way seasoned teams do.
Calmly, collectively and at the free-throw line.
After Inola trimmed the deficit to 3 points with just over two minutes remaining, the Lady Cardinals closed the door with a poised late-game stretch, sinking 6 free throws in the final 1:40 to secure a 50-41 home victory Tuesday night in a Rogers County rivalry showdown at the Verdigris Activity Center.
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The win pushed Verdigris to 4-4 on the season, matching the Lady Longhorns’ record at 4-4, and sends the Lady Cardinals into this week’s Mother Road Classic with momentum.
Verdigris didn’t always control the night.
Inola stormed out early behind junior Tessa Groff, who scored 10 of her 12 points in the first quarter. Groff knocked down 2 3-pointers during a decisive run that helped the Lady Longhorns build a 17-11 lead after one.
The tone of the game shifted early in the second quarter when Groff took a hard bump and hit her head on the court with 6:18 remaining before halftime.
She exited the game and did not return until the third quarter. Although Groff came back to the floor, she was clearly limited, scoring only on a pair of free throws late in the third.
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The Lady Cardinals took advantage of the opening.
After trailing by as many as 8, Verdigris clawed back behind Rilyn Stringfellow and Jackie Beauchamp, who fueled a 16-5 run to close the first half.
Stringfellow tied the game with a 3-pointer and then followed with a basket in the paint, while Addie Russell capped the surge to give the Lady Cardinals a 27-24 halftime lead.
The momentum carried into the third quarter.
Adelaide Patterson and Beauchamp each drilled 3-pointers early, helping Verdigris stretch the lead to 9.
Inola answered repeatedly behind Makiah Barnett and Brynlee Pratt, keeping the margin within reach, but the Lady Cardinals entered the fourth quarter holding a slim 39-36 advantage.
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The Lady Longhorns made one final push in the opening minute of the fourth, cutting the deficit to one at 39-38, but Verdigris responded with toughness inside and composure at the line.
Russell scored on back-to-back baskets to restore breathing room, and after Barnett’s 3-point play made it 44-41 with 2:03 remaining, Stringfellow iced the game. The junior calmly knocked down 4-straight free throws in the final 1:40 before Beauchamp added the final two with 15 seconds left.
Stringfellow finished with a dominant all-around performance, posting 17 points and 11 rebounds. Beauchamp added 15 points and 2 boards, Patterson chipped in 10 and 1, and Russell contributed 6 points and 9 rebounds.
Inola was led by Barnett’s 17 points and 6 rebounds. Groff finished with 12 points and 2 boards despite the injury scare, Izzy Helling grabbed 10 rebounds and Pratt added 8 points.
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The Lady Cardinals held advantages in 3-pointers [7-5], free throws [13-of-18 to 4-of-7] and rebounds [37-32] in a tightly contested game that featured nearly identical turnover totals, a category the Lady Longhorns won 10-11.
Verdigris now turns its attention to hosting the Mother Road Classic beginning Thursday, while Inola shifts focus to the Locust Grove Invitational Tournament later this week.
