NEW PARIS — Free throws proved to be the difference when National Trail hosted Tri-County North in a girls high school basketball game last week.

The visiting Panthers knocked down 20-of-28 from the charity stripe, including three in the last 20 seconds to avoid the upset and escape with a 47-44 win on Thursday, Dec. 7.

North went to the line 24 times in the second half as four Trail players fouled out of the contest.

On the flip side, Trail went 11-of-12 from the line, 11 attempts came in the second half, in a game which never seemed to flow due to the number of fouls called.

A total of 41 fouls were called in the game.

North held a 12-10 lead after one. Trail grabbed the halftime lead (21-19), outscoring the Panthers 7-2 over the final three minutes.

In the third, North tied the game at 34-34, going 11-of-14 from the line.

In the fourth, Trail took a 38-34 lead with 5:44 remaining. From there the lead switched four times and the game was tied four times.

North’s Jordan Pinion broke the tie making 1-of-2 free throws with 20.5 seconds left to put her team in front 45-44.

Trail then committed a turnover with five seconds left. Bella Cherry iced the game with a pair of free throws with 3.1 seconds left.

Nani Garcia led North with 14 points. Cherry added 11, while Hannah Webster added eight. Pinion contributed seven.

For Trail, Josie Stiner led the way with 14 points and Ollie Mason added 13. Morgan House chipped in with eight.

North (5-3, 1-1 WOAC) is scheduled to host Tri-Village on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Trail (2-2, 0-2 WOAC) was scheduled to play at Carlisle on Monday, Dec. 11 for its only game of the week.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.com