By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

GALLIPOLIS — The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers lost some patience, but not enough to lose the game.

Struggling once again in a road game against Gallipolis, the Lady Fighting Tigers manage to pull their game together late as they beat the Blue Angels 36-29 Monday.

Ironton (7-2) blew a 12-point lead and then had to make some key plays down the stretch to beat the Blue Angels.

“Give Gallipolis credit for the way they played us,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham. “We weren’t in a flow in the second half. We lacked patience on offense.”

The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 12-4 lead and stretched it to 19-8 at the break despite shooting just 7 of 24 from the field in the first half.

Ironton was 12 of 34 from the field for 35.3 percent for the game.

Turnovers and fouls slowed Ironton’s scoring in the third quarter as Gallipolis climbed to within 25-17.

The Blue Angels tied the game at 25-25 with 2:30 to play, but Nikki Elswick hit a layup off a pass from Alex Taylor and then Ariel Schweickart turned a steal into a layup and Ironton had a lead it never relinquished.

“Nikki made a big play and Ariel shot the gap and made a big steal. It was a nice play,” said Graham.

Ironton was only 10 of 21 from the foul line —47.6 percent — including just 5 of 12 down the stretch in the fourth quarter.

“If we make our free throws we win by 20. When they put you at the line, you have to make those shots in tight games,” said Graham.

Elswick had nine points, eight rebounds and five steals for Ironton while Taylor added nine points, four rebounds and three assists.

Morgan Daniels led Gallipolis (3-7) with 10 points.

Ironton hosts Portsmouth at 6 p.m. Thursday. The junior varsity game will consist of just two quarters.

Ironton 12 7 6 11 = 36

Gallipolis 4 4 9 12 = 29

IRONTON (7-2): Alex Taylor 2 0 5-12 9, Nikki Elswick 3 1 0-0 9, Ariel Schweickart 1 1 1-2 6, Karlee McMackin 2 0 1-1 5, Alicia Murphy 2 0 3-6 7, Torie Klaiber 0 0 0-0 0, Emily Davis 0 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Adkins 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12-34 10-21 36. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 2-5. Rebounds: 6 offense, 16 defense = 22 (Elswick 8, Taylor 4, Murphy 4, McMackin 4). Assists: 4 (Taylor 3). Steals: 11 (Elswick 5, Taylor 2).

GALLIPOLIS (3-7): Samantha Barnes 2 0 0-0 4, Heather Ward 0 0 0-0 0, Haley Rosier 0 0 5-6 5, Halley Barnes 0 0 0-0 0, Tara Young 3 0 0-0 6, Mattie Lanham 1 0 2-3 4, Morgan Daniels 4 0 2-5 10. Totals: 10 0 9-14 29. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Lanham.