By JIM LANGHAM

Sportswriter

DEFIANCE – After working themselves into the lead early in the fourth quarter at last week's district game against Tinora, the Paulding Panthers faded in the face of Ram aggressiveness and offensive attack in the final minutes of the game to lose a 62-59 heartbreaker to Tinora.

After trailing 30-26 at the half, Paulding battled back to grab a 41-37 lead heading into the final eight minutes. The Panthers continued to put the heat on early in the fourth stanza and when Guy Harder turned in a three-point play, the local squad was basking in a 50-42 lead with six minutes remaining in the contest.