NORWICH – After defeating Delhi in a non-league match-up last week, the Norwich Purple Tornado girls’ basketball team got back into league play to host Owego Apalachin. Norwich strived in the final eight minutes, but fell just short 59-57. A heart-breaking loss in a game that Norwich played tough throughout the entire contest, but couldn’t stop Owego’s efforts.

Both teams played neck-and-neck with Owego taking the brief 29-26 lead at halftime. With that small margin lead, the River Hawks were able to extend in the third quarter, outscoring Norwich 16-9. However, Norwich fired up in the final eight minutes. They posted their best 22 points, but Owego was able to hold them at the final buzzer.

Olivia Schiraldi dominated with 22 points for the Purple Tornado, where she hit four three-pointers, including three in that final fourth quarter. She scored 11 points alone in those eight minutes. Josey Ryan finished with 12 points. Both Ryan and Schiraldi combined for the team’s 12 first quarter points with Ryan having eight. Kerrigan Reid scored eight points in the loss.

Owego had two shooters that were consistent at the foul line and as a team, they made 15-of-27 free throws with six made in the fourth quarter.

Norwich (7-6) is right back on the Jack Jones court on Friday at 7:15 p.m. against Windsor. Norwich defeated Windsor 52-30 in their first meeting.

Scores by quarter:

OW 11 18 16 14–59

NO 12 14 9 22–57

OW: Alexis Herceg 20, Maddie McEvoy 17, Ava Brown 9, Cassie Doane 6, Ash Dalton 5, Stella Palladino 2.

NO: Olivia Schiraldi 22, Josey Ryan 12, Kerrigan Reid 8, Brynley Ryan 4, Emma Urgo 4, Bella Dilorio 3, Julie Turner 2, Julia Llewellyn 2.

Three-pointers: OW 4 (McEvoy 2, Herceg, Dalton); NO 7 (Schiraldi 4, J Ryan, Reid, Dilorio).