If your offense is having problems, just turn to the defense.

The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings used a strong defense effort to jump-start their offense as they beat the St. Joseph Female Flyers 46-27 on Saturday.

“Our offense has been struggling as of late, but we started to find our range,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Lisa Bryant.

“Our scoring was balanced and our kids played good defense and produced 20 steals. Ada Humphrey took the ball to the hoop and got herself to the line.”

Ada Humphrey had 10 points, Erica Corn eight and Jessie Morris seven to lead the Lady Vikings (6-10).

Symmes Valley jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the first quarter and built a comfortable 24-6 lead at the half.

St. Joseph outscored the Lady Vikings 12-11 in the third quarter.

Despite 18 second half turnovers, Symmes Valley outscored the Female Flyers 12-9 in the fourth quarter.

“Give St. Joe credit. They scrapped the entire game and never gave up,” said Bryant.

Michelle Staton had 11 points and Katie Hacker nine to lead St. Joseph.

St. Joseph 2 4 12 9 = 27

Symmes Valley 13 11 11 12 = 46

ST. JOSEPH (7-10): Michelle Staton 3 0 5-9 11, Sarah Basedow 0 0 1-3 1, Katie Hacker 2 0 5-6 9, Katie Schwab 1 0 2-8 4, Sarah Neal 0 0 0-0 0, Kacie Rucker 1 0 0-0 2, Ivanna Setnicka 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 7 0 13-26 27. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Hacker.

SYMMES VALLEY (6-10): Nikki Nance 20 0-0 4, Haily Pelletier 1 0 0-0 2, Brooke Skinner 3 0 1-2 7, Chelsea Wall 0 0 0-3 0, Jessie Morris 2 1 0-0 7, Jennie Wilson 2 0 1-2 5, Erica Corn 4 0 0-0 8, Ada Humphrey 1 0 8-10 10, Caitie Bloomfield 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 17-52 11-19 46. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 28 (Pelletier 8). Assists: 12. Steals: 20. Turnovers: 28.