Robert Gates is the current United States Secretary of Defense. But if he ever needs a day off, he can call on the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

Ironton used a stellar defensive effort in the first half that limited Portsmouth to nine points and the Fighting Tigers went on to win 68-44 Tuesday in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League game.

“Our defense in the first half was as good as it has been all year. We played really well. It was outstanding,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon.

The Fighting Tigers (12-5, 7-3) built a big first half lead as they limited Portsmouth to 4-of-22 shooting from the field and created 10 turnovers.

Ironton raced to a 9-0 lead including a trey by Tim Kochendoerfer to cap the run.

A dunk by Zach Link got Portsmouth on the scoreboard, but Michael Lamb converted a three-point play and added two foul shots as Ironton opened up a 16-4 first quarter lead.

Things didn’t get any better for the Trojans in the second quarter as they missed their first six shots. They were 0-for-10 from the 3-point line in the half and 4-of-29 for the game.

Ironton continued to use excellent team play to extend its lead. Tommy Waginger drained a pair of trifectas that pushed the lead to 32-7 with 1:10 left in the half and Johnathon Schweickart — who was 3-of-4 from the field in the quarter — nailed a 10-footer with five seconds left that made it 35-9 at the break.

Ironton lost some of its intensity in the second half while Portsmouth refused to back down.

“We told the kids at halftime it was 0-0. We told them to get after it in the second half and not to get frustrated because (the Trojans) are going to score. They’re too good of athletes not to score,” said LaFon.

A steal and layup by Kochendoerfer gave Ironton its biggest lead at 40-11, but the Trojans went on a 9-0 run that cut the deficit to 46-26.

Lamb’s 15-footer made it 52-28 but Anthony Williams short jumper had the score at 52-30 heading into the fourth quarter.

Portsmouth managed to get as close as 60-43 on a 3-pointer by London Malone late in the game, but a layup by Travis Elliott and a steal and layup by Kochendoerfer built a 65-43 lead with 2:25 to go.

Kochendoerfer had 16 points to lead four players in double figures. Lamb scored 15 with Waginger and Schweickart getting 10 each.

Ironton dominated the glass 55-to-31. Lamb pulled down 13 rebounds while Elliott and Kochendoerfer grabbed 10 each.

“Travis Elliott finds a way to get a rebound. Sometimes I think he comes off the bench and he’s the sixth guy on the floor. He just has a knack for getting the ball,” said LaFon.

“I thought Michael Lamb played as well from start to finish as he has all year. Lukas Morris played a nice game even though he didn’t have a big game statistically. And John Schweickart came off the bench and did a good job.”

Williams had 19 points and 11 rebounds for Portsmouth (8-7, 2-7).

Ironton 16 19 17 16 = 68

Portsmouth 4 5 21 14 = 44

IRONTON (12-5, 7-3): Malcolm Morton 2 0 1-2 5, Tim Kochendoerfer 5 1 3-5 16, Lukas Morris 1 0 3-6 5, Erin Edens 2 0 0-1 4, Michael Lamb 5 0 5-6 15, Tommy Waginger 0 2 4-5 10, Travis Elliott 1 0 1-2 3, Robbie Webb 0 0 0-0 0, J.P. Taylor 0 0 0-0 0, Jon Norris 0 0 0-0 0, Johnathon Schweickart 5 0 0-1 10. Totals: 24-56 17-29 68. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 3-11. Rebounds: 22-33=55 (Lamb 13, Elliott 10, Kochendoerfer 10). Team/deadball: 4. Assists: 13 (Morton 3, Waginger 3). Steals: 13 (Schweickart 3, Kochendoerfer 3, Morton 3). Turnovers: 21.

PORTSMOUTH (8-7, 2-7): Jacob Stevens 0 0 0-1 0, Tory Horne 0 0 0-0 0, Anthony Williams 9 0 1-4 19, Andrew Bendolph 1 2 3-4 11, Forrest Johnson 0 1 0-1 3, Zach Link 2 0 0-2 4, Corey Allison 1 0 1-3 3, Nick Nelson 0 0 0-2 0, London Malone 0 1 0-0 3, Tre Underwood 0 0 1-4 1, James Lawson 0 0 0-0 0, Adam Bray 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-54 6-21 44. Fouls: 24. Fouled out: Johnson (4th 4:09). 3-point goals: 4-29. Rebounds: 12-19=31 (Williams 11, Underwood 4). Team/deadball rebounds: 4. Assists: 6 (Bendolph 2). Steals: 4 (Allison 2). Turnovers: 15.

RESERVES: Ironton 44, Portsmouth 32. Ironton: Mason Weisgarber 3, Tres Wilkes 2, Mac Carter 13, J.P. Taylor 13, Josh Murphy 12, Robbie Webb 3, Wayne Evans 8. Portsmouth: London Malone 17, Len Collins 5, Dion McKinley 2, Benji Carr 2, Adam Bray 6.