Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

GALLIPOLIS — The big man caused some big problems.
Forced to defend Gallipolis’ 7-foor-1 sophomore center Zach Loveday left the outside side open and the Blue Devils took advantage as they pulled away in the second half to beat the Ironton Fighting Tigers 70-46 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Friday.
Ironton trailed just 22-17 at the half but got in foul trouble early in the third quarter and Gallipolis got hot from the field and scored 48 points in the second half.
“We came out in the third quarter with a little momentum but we didn’t handle things. You have to do your job. The simple things have to be done. We did that in the first half and that kept us in the game,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.
“Their guards had some open shots because we had to help with the post. Bottom line, they scored in the post.”
Ethan Wilson had a game-high 23 points to lead Ironton (1-3, 0-2). Kyle Adkins added 15 points.
The Blue Devils (5-0, 2-0) were led by Loveday with 19 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots. Justin McClelland had 11 points and Cory Call 10 as the Blue Devils were 22-of-38 from the field for 58 percent and converted 21-of-29 free throws.
Ironton went up 5-4 on a 3-pointer by Adkins but Gallipolis went on an 11-0 run to take a 15-5 lead.
Wilson drilled a triple at the buzzer to get Ironton within 15-8 at the end of the quarter.
A 12-footer by Adkins and a 17-footer by Wilson closed the gap to 20-14. McClelland sank two foul shots to put the Blue Devils up 22-14.
But Wilson drained another trifecta at the buzzer and Ironton was down 22-17 at the break.
A 3-pointer and two free throws by Evan Wiseman to start the second half gave Gallipolis a 27-17 lead.
The Fighting Tigers got in foul trouble early in the third quarter as Wilson and Adkins — their top two scorers — were whistled for three fouls.
Loveday made two foul shots, then got an offensive rebound and fed McClelland for a basket and it was 31-17.
A putback by Justin Peck gave Gallipolis a 35-17 lead. Wilson hit a 15-footer at the 2:27 mark for Ironton’s first basket of the half and ended a 13-0 run by Gallipolis.
Ironton finished the quarter trailing 46-25.
Gallipolis was 10-of-15 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.
On Tuesday, Ironton visits Ashland, Ky., and Gallipolis is at Fairland.
Ironton       8    9    8    21    =    46
Gallipolis    15    7    24    24    =    70
IRONTON (1-3, 0-2): Ethan Wilson 6 2 5-6 23, Joel Blankenship 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Adkins 1 3 4-4 15, Hunter Humphreys 0 0 0-2 0, Reid Carrico 2 0 0-0 4, Ayden Barnes 0 1 0-2 3, Ryan Payne 0 0 1-2 1, Collin Freeman 0 0 0-0 0, Trent Milleson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-40 6-11 46. 3-pt goals: 6-11. Rebounds: 11-O, 14-D = 25 (Wilson 6, Carrico 4). Team rebounds: 5. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: Carrico (4th 2:21).
GALLIPOLIS (5-0, 2-0): Caleb Henry 3 0 1-3 7, Evan Wiseman 2 1 2-2 9, Justin McClelland 1 1 6-6 11, Cory Call 2 1 3-5 10, Zach Loveday 5 0 9-12 19, Justin Peck 2 0 0-1 4, Logan Blour 1 0 0-0 2, Gage Harrison 0 2 0-0 6, Kaden Thomas 1 0 0-0 2, Bailey Walker 0 0 0-0 0, Ben Cox 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-38 21-29 70. 3-pt goals: 5-13. Rebounds: 5-O, 18-D = 23 (Loveday 9, Peck 5). Team: 3. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Blour (4th 0:29).