ATHENS — Someone should have brought a can opener.

Faced with the proverbial “lid on the basket,” the Ironton Fighting Tigers suffered their worst shooting performance of the season in a 65-43 loss to the Piketon Red Streaks in the Division III district semifinals Sunday at the Ohio University Convocation Center.

Ironton was a meager 16-for-67 from the field — mostly from point-blank range — including 1-of-11 from beyond the arc.

The shooting effort was the lone counter productive item in the Ironton game plan. The Fighting Tigers’ relentless pressure and depth showed signs of wearing down the Red Streaks and their prowess on the boards was dominating.

“We did everything we wanted except finish,” said Ironton coach Mark LaFon. “We got the shots we wanted but we just didn’t finish. If we make a few shots in the first half, we’re either ahead or right in the game.”

Ironton was only 7-of-37 from the field in the first half and still only trailed 31-18. They held a 24-15 rebound advantage against the taller Red Streaks in the first half including of which 16 came on the offensive glass.

“I can’t explain it. We were right in the paint under the basket and we couldn’t get anything to fall,” said LaFon.

The game was tied once at 2-2 and Ironton never had the lead.

The Fighting Tigers (15-8) did get within 35-25 on a putback by Michael Lamb with 3:32 on the third quarter clock, but a 5-of-15 shooting in the third quarter wouldn’t allow them to get any closer despite numerous chances.

“It was frustrating to say the least,” said LaFon. “In the second half we had to gamble a littler more when we got behind and they got a couple of easy baskets, and we still couldn’t hit anything.”

Even though the Fighting Tigers had the Red Streaks tired, they were trailing 51-35 after a layup by Lukas Morris with 4:36 left and were forced to foul.

Piketon not only took the opportunities to rest, it converted 13-of-21 attempts in the quarter with Jordan Brabson making 12-of-16 as he finished with 22 points.

Ironton did not have a player in double figures for the first time all season. Lamb and Morris scored seven points each while Erin Edens and Lamb grabbed eight rebounds and Morris seven.

Evan Legg scored 19 and Cody Smith added 13 for Piketon (21-2) who came into the game ranked eighth in the final Associated Press poll.

Ironton 10 8 11 14 = 43

Piketon 17 14 13 21 = 65

IRONTON (15-8): Malcolm Morton 2 0 2-2 6, Tim Kochendorfer 2 0 1-2 5, Lukas Morris 3 0 1-2 7, Erin Edens 2 0 1-2 5, Michael Lamb 1 0 5-7 7, John Schweickart 1 1 0-0 5, Tommy Waginger 0 0 0-0 0, Travis Elliott 0 0 0-0 0, J.P. Taylor 3 0 0-0 6, Robbie Webb 1 0 0-0 2, Michael Lawless 0 0 0-0 0, Tres Wilkes 0 0 0-0 0, Mac Carter 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-67 10-15 43. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Schweickart (4th 0:29). 3-point goals: 1-11. Rebounds: 25 offense, 18 defense = 43 (Lamb 8, Edens 8, Morris 7). Team/deadball rebounds: 4. Assists: 7 (Schweickart 3). Steals: 10 (Morton 3, Schweickart 2, Lamb 2). Turnovers: 24.

PIKETON (21-2): Kennan Brush 1 0 0-0 2, Jordan Brabson 5 0 12-16 22, Evan Legg 8 0 3-5 19, Cody Smith 4 1 2-6 13, Caleb Southworth 1 0 0-0 2, Kenny Helton 1 0 0-0 2, Jared Vulgamore 1 0 2-2 4, Jamie Helton 0 0 0-0 0, Brice Vulgamore 0 0 1-2 1, James Lewis 0 0 0-0 0, Garrett Barker 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Braniff 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-44 20-31 65. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 1-7. Rebounds: 9-27=36 (Southworth 8, Smith 8). Team/deadball rebounds: 7. Assists: 5 (Legg 3). Steals: 8 (Legg 3). Turnovers: 16.