Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. And to Ironton coach Doug Graham, the Lady Fighting Tigers’ win on Thursday was a thing of beauty.

Despite 21 turnovers — 17 in the first half — and 39 percent shooting from the field, the Lady Tigers used a strong fourth quarter to rally past the Boyd County Lady Lions 44-35 on Thursday.

“It was one of those ugly wins,” said Graham. “It was an ugly first half. It was one of those tough games to call because it was so sloppy. But Boyd County is a good team, so I’ll take it any day.”

The Lady Tigers’ defense was a key as they held Boyd County’s Logan Fraley to just a 3-point field goal. The Lady Lions were only 11 of 37 from the floor and 2 of 12 from behind the 3-point line.

Lexie Barrier had 10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals to lead Ironton (11-4). Lexie Washington had 9 points and 7 rebounds and Karlee McMackin added 9 points and 5 rebounds.

Taylor Wheeler scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds for Boyd County (12-6).

Ironton took a 10-2 lead to start the game as Boyd County committed 11 turnovers in the first quarter.

But Ironton couldn’t open up the lead because of its own turnover problems.

A 7-foot shot by Washington with 6:17 left in the half was the last Ironton basket until McMackin’s layup with 4:22 on the third quarter clock.

Boyd County got within 13-12 at the half and used a 3-pointer by Alexis Lunsford to take its first lead at 15-13 to begin the second half.

Lunsford’s layup made it 17-13 before McMackin scored.

The Lady Lions went on a 6-0 run to lead 23-15 with 2:05 left I nthe third quarter. But Jordan Hannan’s 3-point play with five seconds left helped get Ironton within 27-21 at the end of the quarter.

“We picked it up in the second half. We were more aggressive. Jordan Hannan gave us a spark and played good defense. We were down a man (injured Macy Wise) and Karlie Rase gave us some good minutes at the end of the first half,” said Graham.

Ironton went on a 10-1 run to start the fourth quarter to take a 29-28 lead.

Two foul shots by Emily Stewart gave the Lady Lions their last lead at 32-31 with with 3:40 to play.

Washington’s put-back put Ironton back on top for good at 33-32. McMackin then hit a baseline shot and added a foul shot for a 36-32 lead.

Boyd County began to foul and Ironton converted 8 of 10 over the final 1:22 to clinch the win.

Ironton was 16 of 26 from the line — 13 of 19 in the fourth quarter — and Boyd County was 11 of 26 for the game.

Ironton plays at Pickerington on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Boyd County 2 10 15 8 = 35

Ironton 8 5 8 23 = 44

BOYD COUNTY (12-6): Taylor Wheeler 3 0 4-9 10, Logan Fraley 0 1 0-2 3, Emily Stewart 0 0 2-2 2, Hunter Reeves 4 0 0-1 8, Morgan Kenser 1 0 3-9 5, Caitlin Coburn 0 0 2-2 2, Houston Reeves 0 0 0-0 0, Alexis Lunsford 1 1 0-1 5. Totals: 11-36 11-26 35. 3-point goals: 2-12. Rebounds: 10-15=25 (Wheeler 6, Kenser 5). Team rebounds: 2. Assists: 2. Steals: 10 (Stewart 3, Kenser 3). Turnovers: 20. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Wheeler (4th 0:57), Hu. Reeves (4th 0:19).

IRONTON (11-4): Lexie Washington 4 0 1-2 9, Lexie Barrier 3 0 4-7 10, Ariel Schweickart 0 0 4-8 4, Karlee McMackin 3 0 3-4 9, Alicia Murphy 2 0 3-4 7, Taylor Hannan 0 0 0-0 0, Alana Martin 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Hannan 2 0 1-1 5, Karlie Rase 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-36 16-26 44. 3-point goals: 0-6. Rebounds: 11-26=37 (Barrier 10, Washington 7, McMackin 5, Murphy 5). Team rebounds: 1. Assists: 9 (Barrier 5). Steals: 9 (Barrier 3, McMackin 2, Schweickart 2). Turnovers: 21. Fouls: 22. Fouled out; Barrier (4th 1:10).