Ruess shot 5 of 5 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, including a 4-for-4 effort in the final 90 seconds, which highlighted a 15-8 run.

“We usually shoot a lot of free throws after practice,” Ruess said. “We try and make as many free throws in a row as we can. This feels really good.”

Corunna coach Jason Schemenauer pointed to free throws and Corunna’s 17 of 23 accuracy as the key to victory. The team’s 11 of 14 shooting from the line — from five different players in the last 8 minutes — was especially crucial, he said.

“We work on that and we talk about it because it’s where games are won and lost,” Schemenauer said. “I give Owosso a lot of credit, though. I think they played a lot harder than they did the first time around (a 47-30 Corunna victory).”

Cnudde delivered a double-double for the Cavaliers, scoring a game-high 16 points with 11 rebounds. Cnudde, who shot 6 of 8 from the free-throw line, scored eight points in each half. Kersjes scored 10 points while Ruess finished with seven more and Georgia Gregoricka, despite foul trouble, had five steals.

Owosso hit six 3-pointers and did not allow Corunna to connect from behind the arc.

The Trojans (1-8) featured the nine-point scoring of sophomore guard Amanda Leftwich, who drained three 3-pointers with five rebounds. Taylor Walter had seven points and three blocked shots and Chelsea Ardelean scored five points. Claire Gilbert added four rebounds.

Leftwich scored two of her 3s in the first quarter, when Owosso took a 12-9 lead.

However, Corunna countered with a 13-3 run in the second quarter. Senior Monica Terry was a catalyst for the Cavaliers, according to Schemenauer.

“Defensively, we really got good in the second quarter,” he said. “We held them to three points and we had a big run. Monica Terry did a real nice job. She had a nice shot, made a steal and turned it into a pass for a layup. She contributed four quick points and really was a difference-maker.”

Terry said communication was a key in the run. Corunna’s 1-3-1 zone defense blanketed Owosso’s 3-point marksmen in the second quarter.

“We just had to tighten up our defense and talk a lot,” Terry said. “We had to close down on their 3-point shooters.”

Owosso delivered a 12-6 run in the third quarter to pull within 28-27, heading into the final eight minutes.

But Corunna’s Ruess hit two free throws with 1:30 left to give Corunna a 38-32 edge.

Ardelean, then, made a 3-pointer for Owosso with 45 seconds left.

Again, Ruess connected with a pair of free throws to make it a six-point game.

Kersjes blocked Owosso’s 3-point attempt in the final seconds and Cnudde added two final free throws to end the clash.

Still Owosso, which lost by 17 points the first time the teams met (Dec. 14, 2010), showed improvement on Tuesday, said Trojans coach Devon Burzynski.

“We just played better defense,” Burzynski said. “Having a lead and being confident, that helps us a lot. Our shooting was much better. We made six 3-pointers. I think we were just more comfortable and more relaxed.”