Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

POMEROY — The background was the same for both teams, but it looked a lot different to the St. Joseph Flyers.

The Flyers struggled with their shooting in a 68-53 loss to the South Gallia Rebels in the Division IV sectional tournament Tuesday at Meigs High School.

The unfamiliar surroundings weren’t kind to the Flyers who shot just 18 of 54 from the field for 33 percent and only 4 of 19 from behind the arc.

South Gallia made 25 of 46 shots for 54.3 percent including 5 of 10 from the 3-point line.

Justin Mahlmeister closed out his career with 21 points to lead St. Joseph (6-16). Eli Lewis had 8 points in his final game.

South Gallis (7-16) was led by Braden Greer with 24 points. Kody Lambert scored 15, Landon Hutchinson 12 and Ethan Swain scored 10.

There were four lead changes and two ties in the first quarter. South Gallia went on a 9-2 run to lead 14-7 and it was 14-9 at the end of the quarter.

Mahlmeister hit two free throws at the 5:50 mark to give St. Joseph its final lead of the game at 18-17.

The game was tied at 20 when Lambert hit a shot to put the Rebels up for good at 22-20 with 4:21 left in the half.

St. Joseph did manage to get within one point on two different occasions including 24-23 with 2:04 on the clock before the Rebels went up 26-23 at the break.

The Flyers made only 7 of 25 floor shots in the first half.

South Gallia went on a 10-2 run to begin the second half and it was 36-25 with 5:25 on the clock. The Rebels hit 8 of their first 10 shots in the quarter.

The Flyers cut the deficit to 41-35 on a three-point play by Mahlmeister at the 3:33 mark before the Rebels went up 47-37 at the end of the quarter.

South Gallia took its biggest lead at 62-40 with 3:5 left to play on a basket by Hutchinson. The Flyers got within 64-51 with 1:17 to go, but they could get no closer.

The Rebels were 15 of 23 from the field in the second half for 65 percent.

South Gallia 14 12 21 21 = 68

Saint Joseph 9 14 14 16 = 53

SOUTH GALLIA (7-16): Landon Hutchinson 5 0 2-3 12, Brayden Greer 8 1 5-5 24, Tyler Reynolds 0 0 0-0 0, Devin Lucas 0 0 0-0 0, Joseph Ehman 0 0 0-0 0, C.J. Johnston 0 0 0-0 0, Michael Wheeler 1 0 1-2 3, Gus Slone 2 0 0-0 4, Kody Lambert 2 2 5-5 15, Ethan Swain 2 2 0-0 10, Tyler Pope 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 25-46 13-15 68. 3-point goals: 5-11. Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.

SAINT JOSEPH (6-16): Grant Geswein 1 0 0-0 2, Troy Scott 1 0 2-4 4, Eli Lewis 3 0 2-2 8, Joseph Payton 1 1 0-0 5, Justin Mahlmeister 4 3 4-5 21, Hunter Pemberton 2 0 0-2 4, Cole Willis 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Chris Lewis 1 0 4-6 6, Lane Johnson 1 0 1-3 3. Totals: 18-54 13-22 53. 3-point goals: 4-19. Turnovers: 18. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Scott.