Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

There’s something about the South Point Lady Pointers’ defense that brings out the worst in the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers.

In the first meeting, Ironton shot 15 of 60 for 25 percent and lost 42-40. On Saturday, Ironton was 15 of 50 for 30 percent.

The minor improvement proved to be enough as the Lady Tigers held off the Lady Pointers 44-38 in the Ironton Hall of Fame Shootout.

The biggest difference for Ironton was the defense. The Lady Tigers forced South Point into 30 turnovers and just 13 of 40 shooting for 32.5 percent.

“We set basketball back 10 years. That was ugly. But an ugly win is better than a pretty loss,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

“We shot poorly, but give South Point credit. They did what they need to cause us problems. We’re happy to get out with a win.”

Lexie Barrie scored 15 points to lead Ironton (12-5). Karlee McMackin added 5 points and 7 rebounds and Alicia Murphy had 5 points and 6 rebounds.

Abbey Winkler and Brianna Bacon scored 9 points each to lead South Point (6-9). Aundrea Bradburn had 9 rebounds and Brett Justice grabbed 8.

The Lady Tigers caused South Point to commit 13 turnovers in the first quarter, but a dozen missed shots in the paint kept Ironton from running away with the game early.

A steal and layup by Murphy with 16 seconds on the clock gave Ironton an 11-4 lead.

A baseline shot by Jordan Hannan opened up an 18-6 lead with 4:36 left in the half, but Justice and Bradburn each made two foul shots to make it 20-10 and a pair of foul shots by Winkler cut the gap to 22-12 at the half.

Two foul shots by Ariel Schweickart and a layup by Lexie Washington pushed Ironton’s lead to 26-14 with 3:11 left in the third quarter.

But South Point cut the deficit to 30-24 at the end of the quarter with the help of two 3-pointers by Bacon, the second with 1:07 left in the quarter.

Barrier’s trifecta to begin the fourth quarter and a foul shot and baseline jumper by McMackin extended Ironton’s lead to 34-24, but the Lady Pointers got within 41-35 on a layup by Bradburn with 30 seconds left.

Murphy made a foul shot only to have Winkler answer with a 3-pointer.

But Washington’s two foul shots with eight seconds left sealed the win.

On Monday, Ironton is at Chesapeake and South Point visits Gallipolis.

South Point 4 8 12 14 = 38

Ironton 11 11 8 14 = 44

SOUTH POINT (6-9): Abbey Winkler 2 1 2-2 9, Brianna Whaley 0 0 0-0 0, Brett Justice 2 0 2-4 6, Lakin Adams 1 0 0-0 2, Aundrea Bradburn 2 0 2-7 6, Bonnie Hileman 0 0 0-0 0, Haley Rawlins 2 0 2-2 6, Brianna Bacon 0 3 0-0 9. Totals: 13-40 8-15 38. 3-point goals: 4-13. Rebounds: 13-25=38 (Bradburn 9, Justice 8, Winkler 6). Assists: 2. Steals: 4 (Winkler 2). Turnovers: 30. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (12-5): Lexie Washington 2 0 2-4 6, Lexie Barrier 4 2 1-1 15, Ariel Schweickart 0 0 4-4 4, Karlee McMackin 2 0 1-2 5, Alicia Murphy 1 0 3-8 5, Taylor Hannan 1 0 0-0 2, Alana Martin 1 0 0-2 2, Jordan Hannan 2 0 1-2 5. Totals: 15-50 12-23 44. 3-point goals: 2-7. Rebounds: 14-17=31 (McMackin 7, Murphy 6). Team rebounds: 8. Assists: 9 (Schweickart 3, Barrier 2, Washington 2). Steals: 10 (Murphy 4, Barrier 3). Turnovers: 18. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.