WILLOW WOOD — The Symmes Valley Vikings found out that tough times call for tough responses.

Hampered by foul trouble, the Vikings had to dig down deep and beat the Eastern Eagles 69-58 Friday to remain tied for first place in the Southern Ohio Conference I race.

“We got in four trouble right from the start and then we got passive on defense. I told them we still had to box out and try to get a hand in their face,” said Vikings coach Alvin Carpenter.

The win gave the Vikings an 11-2 SOC record, the same as New Boston after the Tigers eliminated Western from the title chase with a 71-67 overtime win.

New Boston played at Symmes Valley Saturday night to determine the league champion.

Eastern took advantage of the foul trouble to lead 18-13 in the first quarter. Matt Tibbs scored five points to keep the Vikings close.

Chris Capper got six points in the second quarter as the Vikings rallied to take a 31-30 lead at the break.

The Eagles tied the game at 49-49 at the end of the third quarter despite eight points by the Vikings Jacob Johnson.

But the Vikings defense held Eastern to nine points in the fourth quarter and converted 9-of-11 from the foul line down the stretch with Tyler Smith going 5-of-6.

Capper had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Vikings (14-5). Tibbs had 14 points, Johnson 11, and Robbie Powell came off the bench to score 10 points.

Beaver Eastern1812199=58

Symmes Valley13181820=69

BEAVER EASTERN (NA): Jacob Helton 0 2 1-2 7, Nate DeWeese 1 0 0-0 2, Derek Lawhorn 0 2 0-0 6, Cole Wheeler 4 0 5-5 13, Doug McVey 0 3 1-2 10, Kevin Montgomery 2 0 1-2 5, Brian Osborne 5 1 2-2 15. Totals: 12 8 10-13 58. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (14-5, 11-2): Tyler Smith 0 0 5-8 5, Jacob Johnson 0 3 2-2 11, Kris Tibbs 0 2 2-2 8, Chris Capper 8 0 1-2 17, Matt Tibbs 4 2 0-0 14, Robbie Powell 2 2 0-0 10, Hunter Boggs 2 0 0-0 4, Dustin Wilson 0 0 0-0 0, Jesse Graybeal 0 0 0-0 0, Jerry Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26-58 7-16 10-14 69. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: K. Tibbs. Rebounds: 31 (Capper 11). Assists: 11 (Smith 5, Ja. Johnson 3). Steals: 9 (M. Tibbs 5). Turnovers: 14. Blocked shots: 3 (Capper 2).