There was one big difference between the Ironton Fighting Tigers and the Ashland Tomcats, and it wasn't just the 32-point spread.

Coach Roger Zornes gave credit to the defense as the Fighting Tigers crushed the

Tomcats 69-37 Tuesday.

"Our defense is so strong right now," Zornes said. "We came out and played with poise and we shut down all their guys."

The defensive effort held Ashland to a 13 for 38 shooting effort or just 34 percent. The Tomcats were a meager 1 of 11 from behind the 3-point line.

"We totally dominated the backboards other than a few parts and at the end," Zornes said.

Ironton, 11-0, was led by Dennis Gagai with 18 points. Joe Zornes had 11 points to go along with four assists and three steals.

Brigham Waginger had 11 points and five assists. Cliff Howard added 10 points and eight rebounds.

"I always look for the open man. I just want to win," Joe Zornes said. "I still work on my jump shot and I try to capitalize when I get the chance."

Ashland (7-7) actually took a 2-0 lad on a layup by Robby Wilcox to start the game. But Ironton went on a 19-2 run led by Gagai with 6 points and it was 19-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Joe Zornes and Gagai hit

3-pointers while Greg Linn converted a 3-point play with 42 seconds left in the half to give Ironton a 38-13 lead at the break.

The Tomcats did not score in the third quarter until Drew McDavid made a short jumper in the lane with 1:43 on the clock. Ironton was up 56-15 heading into the final quarter.

The Fighting Tiger reserves finished up with Brandon Walker hitting all three of his shots for 7 points

McDavid and Matt Thomas had 11 points each to lead Ashland.

In the reserve game, Ironton won 44-18 as Chad Miller had 17 points and Michael Phillips 8.

Ashland85222-37

Ironton19191813-69

ASHLAND (7-7):

Tyler Reliford 0-2 (0-2) 0-0 0, Drew McDavid 4-10 (0-1) 3-5 11, Matt Thomas 5-12 (1-4) 0-0 11, Robby Wilcox 1-6 (0-4) 0-0 2, Brandon Pennington 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0, Brett Miller 2-5 (0-0) 4-6 8, Adam Cannoy 0-2 (0-0) 3-4 3, Luke Bonner 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0, Ryan Bonner 1-1 (0-0) 0-0 2, Jeremy Rose 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0, Tyler Salyer 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0. Totals: 13-38

(1-11)

10-15

37. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 10-16=26 (Miller 7, McDavid 6). Assists: 3 (Reliford 2). Steals: 3 (Reliford 2). Turnovers: 20.

IRONTON (11-0):

Dennis Gagai 7-11 (1-4) 3-4 18, Brigham Waginger 5-12 (0-2) 1-2 11, Joe Zornes 4-5 (1-1) 2-2 11, Cliff Howard 4-6 (0-0) 2-5 10, Marcus Williams 1-1 (0-0) 0-1 2, Greg Linn 2-4 (0-0) 0-1 4, Brent McBride 0-2 (0-0) 0-0 0, Patrick Kouns 2-4 (0-0) 0-3 0, Brian Wirzfeld 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0, Chad Miller 0-2 (0-1) 0-0 0, Shawon Miller 0-1 (0-1) 0-0 0, Brandon Walker 3-3 (1-1) 0-0 7, Michael Phillips 1-1 (0-0) 0-0 2, T.J. Keith 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0. Totals: 29-52

(3-9)

8-18

69. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 11-15=26 (Howard 8). Team/deadball rebounds: 4. Assists: 14 (Waginger 5, Zornes 4, Williams 3). Steals: 13 (Gagai 5, Zornes 3, Williams 3). Turnovers: 9.