In a game of streaks, it was a smudge that made the difference.

After a scoring spurt gave Ironton a lead, three straight turnovers allowed Marietta back in the game and they held on to beat the Fighting Tigers 57-55 Friday in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League game.

“It was a game of streaks. We got the lead and then turned the ball back over to them,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.

“It was a war. We played hard and we played together. We just had too many turnovers. It just came down to the end and we didn’t make the plays we needed.”

Ironton trailed 37-32 after Marietta went on a 7-2 run to start the second half. Michael Lamb hit two straight shots and Robbie Webb sank a pair of free throws to give Ironton the lead at 38-37.

Tommy Waginger then hit a trifecta for a 41-37 lead and he electrified the crowd with a 3-pointer from halfcourt at the buzzer as the Fighting Tigers took a 44-37 lead.

But as quickly as the momentum swung in Ironton’s favor, the pendulum went the other way.

Three turnovers enabled Marietta to take a 46-44 lead on a steal and layup by Anthony Tabler with 5:22 left to play.

Tim Kochendoerfer tied the game with a 13-footer and moments later another trey by Waginger put Ironton ahead 49-48.

“Tommy hit some big shots for us,” said LaFon.

Marietta trailed 51-50, but Ironton went ahead 55-52 with 1:55left on a 19-footer by Lamb.

Unfortunately for Ironton, Lamb fouled out with 53 seconds to play and Evan Brockmeirer hit a foul shot as a result of the fifth foul to get Marietta within 55-53.

Ironton missed the front end of a one-and-one and Brockmeirer hit another layup to tie the game.

“We got the lead again, called a timeout and set up the play, and we miss a clean look that would have put us up four. Then we blow our assignment and they make a layup,” said LaFon.

With time running out, Ironton got a steal by Malcolm Morton but another turnover gave the ball back to Marietta. Kochendoerfer came up with a steal to give Ironton one final gasp.

Johnathon Schweickart’s driving shot through traffic missed and Kockendoerfer’s rebound shot attempt wouldn’t fall.

Kochendoerfer led Ironton (11-5, 6-3) with 16 points and four steals. Waginger had 12 points and Lamb finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Marietta (11-3, 6-1), still unbeaten at home, was led by Tabler with 13 points and Zach Arnold with 11.

“There’s nothing flashy about (Marietta). They do what they have to do better than any team in our league right now,” said LaFon.

Ironton 17 11 16 11 = 55

Marietta 16 14 7 20 = 57

IRONTON (11-5, 6-3): Malcolm Morton 0 0 0-0 0, Tim Kochendoerfer 7 0 2-3 16, Lukas Morris 0 0 0-1 0, Erin Edens 1 0 0-0 2, Michael Lamb 5 0 0-1 10, Tommy Waginger 0 4 0-0 12, Travis Elliott 0 0 3-4 3, Johnathon Schweickart 3 0 0-0 6, J.P. Taylor 2 0 0-0 4, Robbie Webb 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 22-59 7-11 55. Fouls: 25. Fouled out: Morris (4th 2:13), Lamb (4th 0:48). 3-point goals: 4-10. Rebounds: 33 (Lamb 9, Elliott 7, Edens 5). Assists: 9 (Morton 2, Edens 2, Elliott 2). Steals: 9 (Kochendoerfer 4, Morton 3). Turnovers: 18.

MARIETTA (11-3, 6-1): Evan Brockmeirer 3 0 3-8 9, Anthony Tabler 4 0 5-6 13, Zach Arnold 4 0 3-6 11, Chris Stollar 2 1 0-1 7, Zane Eschbaugh 1 1 4-6 9, Perry Wheeler 1 0 0-2 2, Morgan Wynn 4 0 0-0 8, Keith Schwendemen 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Davis 0 0 0-0 0, Connor Hess 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-47 15-29 57. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 2-10. Rebounds: 27 (Wheeler 6, Brockmeirer 6). Assists: 6 (Tabler 3). Steals: 13 (Tabler 5, Brockmeirer 3). Turnovers: 14.

RESERVES: Ironton 47, Marietta 37 Ironton: J.P. Taylor 16, Mason Weisgarber 10, Mac Carter 8, Michael Lawless 5, Robbie Webb 6, Josh Murphy 2. Marietta: Wes Riley 11, Cody Kriechbaum 10, Shawn O’Connor 8, Tim Grosel 6, Nick Huggins 2.