MERCERVILLE - By pressing on, the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings were able to pull away.

Using a relentless press to force turnovers, the Lady Vikings converted the miscues into baskets as they posted a 63-47 season-opening win Saturday over the South Gallia Lady Pirates.

The press enabled the Lady Vikings to shoot layups and close range shots. Symmes Valley was 23 of 43 from the field for 54 percent. The Lady Vikings also converted 17 of 24 foul shots for 70 percent.

&#8220Defensively, our kids did a super job of holding them to only 12 made shots from the field,” Lady Vikings coach Lisa Bryant said. &#8220Our press also helped create turnovers which we took advantage of.”

The Lady Vikings jumped out to a 22-6 lead in the first quarter before South Gallia closed the gap to 40-27 at the break.

&#8220Our second quarter was our worst quarter. We had too many unnecessary fouls and too many turnovers,” Bryant said. &#8220We still have some work to do, but overall it wasn't a bad outing.”

Symmes Valley was up 50-36 after three quarters and then outscored the Lady Rebels 13-11 to win going away.

Emily Bowling came off the bench to scored a game-high 18 points. She also had 13 steals, three assists and four blocked shots.

Brigett Thompson was next with 13 points

to go with six rebounds and three steals. Rebecca Capper had 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Megan Coomes added 9 points and Tiffany Bryant pulled down six rebounds.

The Lady Vikings host New Boston at 6 p.m .Thursday.

Symmes Valley22181013=63

South Gallia621911=47

SYMMES VALLEY (1-0):

Rebecca Capper 5 0 1-1 11, Emily Bowling 7 0 4-5 18, Kayla Saunders 2 0 0-1 4, Megan Coomes 1 0 7-11 9, Ashley Wilson 1 0 0-0 2, Brigette Thompson 4 0 4-5 12, Tiffany Bryant 3 0 1-1 7. Totals: 23-43 0 17-24 63. Rebounds: 36 (Capper 7, Bryant 6, Thompson 6). Assists: 11 (Capper 3, Bowling 3). Steals: 25 (Bowling 13). Blocked shots: 4 (Bowling 4). Turnovers: 30.

SOUTH GALLIA (0-1):

Aiki Fulks 3 0 5-6 11, Kristen Halley 1 0 7-8 9, Chelsea Stowaers 1 0 0-0 2, Ashley Black 0 0 3-5 3, Jessica Cantrell 1 0 3-6 5, Chelsea Canaday 1 0 2-2 4, Jennifer Sheridan 4 0 2-2 10, Lacey Lester 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 12 0 23-31 47.