This game wasn’t just a good deal for the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings, it was a steal.

The Lady Vikings used a strong defense to produce 20 steals as they beat the Portsmouth Notre Dame Lady Titans 37-32 Thursday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“We mixed up our defenses and that worked pretty well for us,” said Lady Vikings coach Lisa Bryant.

Jessie Morris led the defense with eight steals. She also had 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Erica Corn picked the Titans for six steals and she added nine points and five assists. Haily Pelletieer finished with 10 rebounds.

“Jessie Morris had a super game. She had an all-around game tonight. Jessie has really improved her game this season. She is more patient running the offense. Erica Corn also gave a strong performance,” said Bryant.

Morris scored six points as the Lady Vikings raced to a 10-0 lead to start the game and finished the quarter with a 10-4 lead.

Corn had five points in the second quarter as the lead went to 20-13 at the break.

The Lady Vikings cameout sluggish in the second half as the Lady Titans rallied to take a 27-26 lead, but Wilson scored five points in the fourth quarter and the defense forced some key turnovers as the lady Vikings stormed back to take the win.

“Our rebounding needs to improve, and it will. We have to shoot better from the field,” said Bryant. “All of our players got to play and contribute in some way whether they had a role defensively or offensively. They all played hard.”

The Lady Vikings travel to Sciotoville East Monday for a league game. A two quarter junior varsity game will begin at 6 p.m.

Notre Dame 4 9 14 5 = 32

Symmes Valley 10 10 6 11 = 37

PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (NA): Jeanna Estep 2 0 2 6, Kaitlyn Canter 2 0 1 5, Calitie Delabar 1 0 0 2, Hanna Shupert 1 1 1 6, Erin Monroe 2 0 0 4, Rachel Appleton 4 0 0 8, Katie Kayser 0 0 1 1. Totals: 12 1 5 32. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Fouled out: Appleton.

SYMMES VALLEY (1-1, 1-0): Nikki Nance 1 0 0-2 2, Haily Pelletier 1 0 0-2 2, Brooke Skinner 1 0 0-0 2, Chelsea Wall 1 0 0-2 2, Jessie Morris 4 0 3-6 11, Jennie Wilson 3 0 1-4 7, Erica Corn 3 0 3-3 9, Ada Humphrey 1 0 0-1 2. Totals: 15-54 0 7-18 37. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 32 (Pelletier 10, Morris 8, Wilson 5). Assists: 10 (Corn 5, Morris 4). Steals: 20 (Morris 8, Corn 6). Turnovers: 24. Blocked shots: 2 (Pelletier).