By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Of all the things the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers did Monday night, they just missed on the one thing they really wanted.

A win.

The Lady Tigers turned in a strong performance before the Huntington Lady Highlanders pulled away later for a 57-49 win.

“We did a lot of things right, we just didn’t win the game,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

Nikki Elswick had another big game for Ironton with 25 points and nine rebounds. Alex Taylor had 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.

“We looked to be more aggressive game on the offensive end,” said Graham.

Huntington — ranked fourth in Class AAA — was led by University of Cincinnati recruit Talequia Hamilton with 22 points. Adkins added 12 points and Kiki Smith 10.

Ironton (1-1) came out of the gate and took a 10-0 lead before Huntington managed to get back to within 13-9 at the end of the quarter.

Elswick scored eight points in the second quarter but Huntington rallied to take a 27-25 halftime lead.

The Lady Highlanders were up 39-35 at the end of the third quarter.

Taylor hit a trifecta that got Ironton within 43-42 with 6:12 left, but then Hamilton hit two straight 3-pointers

“It was a one possession game most of the game. There was a stretch in the fourth quarter when we’d score but we couldn’t get a stop,” said Graham.

Hamilton scored 12 points in the deciding fourth quarter.

The two teams will meet again on Wednesday, Dec. 22, as part of the Ironton Classic.

Ironton 13 12 10 14 = 49

Huntington 9 18 12 18 = 57

IRONTON (1-1): Torie Klaiber 0 0 0-0 0, Alex Taylor 3 1 4-5 13, Nikki Elswick 11 0 3-4 25, Ariel Schweickart 1 0 0-0 2, Arden Sparks 1 0 1-2 3, Emily Davis 0 0 0-0 0, Karlee McMackin 1 0 0-0 2, Alisha Murphy 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 20-50 8-11 49. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 1-7. Rebounds: 30 (Elswick 9, Taylor 6). Assists: 12 (Taylor 5, Murphy 4, Schweickart 2, McMackin 1). Steals: 2 (Elswick 1, Taylor 1). Turnovers: 15.

HUNTINGTON (2-0): Kiki Smith 3 0 4-6 10, LaKisha Adkins 6 0 0-2 12, Abby Steel 1 1 0-0 5, Anitra Hawarny 2 0 0-0 4, Talequia Hamilton 5 2 6-7 22, Gibson 1 0 2-2 4. Totals: 18 3 12-17 57. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.