ONEIDA | It was a close game until the fourth quarter. And then it started raining threes at OHS Gymnasium.
Oakdale entered Monday's region game at Oneida at a decided disadvantage. Yet, entering the fourth quarter, the only difference in the game was a dismal second quarter that saw the Eagles score only two points. Fred Snow's team had played the Lady Indians evenly in the first and third quarters, and trailed by just ten, 40-30, as the fourth quarter began.
But in that fourth quarter, Oneida went off. The lead quickly doubled, and then just kept growing, as shot after shot fell for the Lady Indians.
By the time the fourth quarter ended, the Lady Indians had out-scored Oakdale 28-6. The final score didn't reflect the way the game was played through the first three quarters, as Oneida won 68-36. But it did reflect the way the Lady Indians played the fourth quarter — like a team that couldn't miss.
The final tally was a season-high 16 three-pointers for Oneida, with most of them coming in the fourth quarter. Kelsey Pike was six of eight from 3-point range all on her own, en route to a game high 22 points. Grace Shoemaker added three 3-pointers. So did Raylie Bush. Annaleah Terry, Braelyn Russ, Lydia Kline and Elli West all got in on the action, too.
Bush finished with 11 points. Shoemaker had nine points and eight rebounds.
To sum up Oneida's night, the Lady Indians finished the game with 25 made shots. Sixteen of them — including 11 of 14 in the second half — came from 3-point range.
Oneida was also dominant on the glass, out-rebounding Oakdale 31-19. The Lady Indians forced the Eagles into 22 turnovers, racking up 15 steals as a team.
While the game was close most of the way, Oakdale's only lead came late in the first quarter. Oneida, meanwhile, led by as much as 36 points when things finally cooled off at the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
ONEIDA (68): Pike 22, Bush 11, G. Shoemaker 9, Terry 7, Russ 7, West 7, Kline 3, Elmore 2.
OAKDALE (36): Hamby 12, Bailey 10, Hicks 6, Bingham 4, Goodson 4.
