Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Win the third quarter and win the game.

It happens a lot in basketball and it happened again Monday as the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers beat the Vinton County Lady Vikings 48-45.

Ironton trailed 17-16 at the half but outscored Vinton County 20-13 in the third quarter and triggered the win.

“The difference in the game was the third quarter. We played with more energy and enthusiasm,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

“Lexie Washington has been playing out of this world the last three games. We didn’t shoot very well, but we found a way to win. I don’t know how many layups we missed.”

Ironton (9-3) was led by Lexie Washington with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Ariel Schweickart and Alicia Murphy scored 9 points each, Lexie Barrier had 9 rebounds and Murphy grabbed 7 rebounds.

Vinton County (5-7) got 13 points from Megan Dixon and 10 from Emily Zinn. Caitlyn Owings had 11 rebounds and Johnna Remy grabbed 7.

Neither team shot well, especially Ironton. The Lady Tigers were 15 of 49 from the floor for 30 percent and Vinton County was 18 of 47 for 38 percent.

Ironton led 9-6 after the first quarter. The lead changed hands five times in the second quarter. Zinn picked up a loose ball off the floor and hit a short jumper to give the Lady Vikings a 17-14 lead.

But Washington’s put-back with 27 seconds left got Ironton within 17-16 at the half.

Ironton came out strong in the third quarter, increasing its pressure and forcing three quick turnovers. The increased intensity ignited an 11-2 run capped by Barrier’s trifecta that put Ironton up 27-19 at the 5:06 mark, its biggest lead of the game.

But Vinton County got a triple from Megan Dixon, a put-back by Owings and a layup by Zinn to get within 27-26.

Macy Wise scored off an offensive rebound and two foul shots by Schweickart with 16 seconds on the clock gave Ironton a 36-30 lead at the end of the quarter.

“Macy got a big rebound for us. She’s been playing more aggressive,” said Graham. “We challenged the girls at halftime. I’m proud of the way we played in the second half. They were fun to watch.”

Ironton kept going to the basket in the fourth quarter and Vinton County was forced to foul. However, the Lady Tigers only converted 10 of 20 attempts.

Besides the foul shooting, Ironton was just one of 11 from the field in the quarter and missed their first nine attempts, all from in the lane.

Vinton County battled back and tied the game 45-45 with 52 seconds left on a 5-footer by Owings. Barrier was fouled on a drive to the basket and hit two foul shots with 24 seconds left that gave Ironton a 47-45 lead

The Lady Vikings missed a 3-pointer with four seconds to play and Alicia Murphy grabbed the rebound for Ironton. She was fouled and hit the first of two shots with two seconds to go that set the final score.

Ironton will now host Ashland on Thursday.

“They are the best team in the area. This will be a big challenge for our girls,” said Graham.

Vinton Co. 6 11 13 15 = 45

Ironton 9 7 20 12 = 48

VINTON COUNTY (5-7): Caitlyn Owings 3 0 1-3 7, Xan Hale 4 0 1-2 9, Emily Zinn 1 2 2-2 10, Megan Dixon 3 2 1-2 13, Johnna Remy 3 0 0-0 6 Jamee Park 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18-47 5-9 45. 3-point goals: 4-13 (Owings 0-2, Hale 0-1, Zinn 2-4, Dixon 2-5, Park 0-1). Rebounds: 11-21=32 (Owings 11, Remy 7). Team rebounds: 4. Assists: 6 (Zinn 4). Steals: 3. Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (9-3): Lexie Washington 7 0 4-10 18, Lexie Barrier 0 1 3-4 6, Ariel Schweickart 1 1 4-6 9, Karlee McMackin 0 0 0-0 0, Alicia Murphy 3 0 3-6 9, Macy Wise 1 0 0-0 2, Taylor Hannan 0 0 0-0 0, Alana Martin 1 0 2-2 4. Totals: 15-49 16-28 48. 3-point goals: 2-9 (Barrier 1-5, Schweickart 1-3, Murphy 0-1). Rebounds: 19-18=37 (Barrier 9, Washington 8, Murphy 7). Team rebounds: 3. Assists: 9 (Schweickart 4, Barrier 2). Steals: 7 (Murphy 3, Schweickart 2). Turnovers: 8. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.