By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

WILLOW WOOD — It was a game where every little thing made a difference.

In a game that could have gone either way, it went the wrong way for the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings who lost 50-49 to the New Boston Lady Tigers Saturday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“A shot here or a shot there would have been the difference in this game,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Lisa Bryant.

“We made too many mistakes in the second half. We were our own worst enemy again. We overthrew our open player or we threw a pass right into the defensive player. Both teams hung tough and hustled all afternoon, but we just came up short.”

Symmes Valley took a 48-47 lead on a 3-pointer Kayla Hayes. New Boston made a foul shot to tie the game, then got a basket to go up 50-48.

The Lady Vikings made one of two free throws and it was 50-49 and then got the ball back with 5.1 seconds to play.

Hayes got an open look but her shot hit on the back of the rim and just rimmed out.

“Kayla had a good look at the basket but it just did not fall. This game could have gone either way,” said Bryant.

Ada Humphrey had a huge game for the Lady Vikings with a career-high 21 points and seven rebounds.

Hayes added 10 points while Kalli Hunt had nine points and 12 rebounds.

“Ada Humphrey really stepped up and took charge of her team. She did everything I asked her to do and she did it. She’s our only senior and I’m very proud of her,” said Bryant.

Symmes Valley led 14-10 at the end of the first quarter. Humphrey scored seven points in the second quarter but New Boston rallied to tie the game at the half at 27 all.

The Lady Tigers took a 41-38 lead in the third quarter as Kiersten McGraw scored 10 of her 21 points. Humphrey had seven more for the Lady Vikings.

Symmes Valley (5-9, 4-5) visits Portsmouth West on Monday, Green on Wednesday and New Boston on Thursday before hosting Beaver Eastern at noon on Saturday.

New Boston 10 17 14 9 = 50

Symmes Valley 14 13 11 11 = 49

NEW BOSTON (5-9): Mychael Harding 4 0 2-3 10, Christian Lykins 2 1 1-2 8, Shawna Buckley 0 0 0-3 0, Courtney DeLotell 3 0 1-2 7, Emily Waugh 1 0 0-0 2, Danielle Yantis 1 0 0-0 2, Kiersten McGraw 9 0 3-4 21. Totals: 20 1 7-14 50. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (5-9, 4-5): Malenna Davis 0 0 0-0 0, Hannah Maynard 0 0 0-0 0, Kayla Hayes 3 1 1-2 10, Kalli Hunt 4 0 1-2 9, Megan Johnson 2 0 3-4 7, Taylor Michael 1 0 0-0 2, Ada Humphrey 9 0 3-3 21. Totals: 20-50 8-11 49. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 1. Rebounds: 36 (Hunt 12, Humphrey 7, Johnson 6, Hayes 4). Assists: 5. Steals: 6 (Hayes 2, Hunt 2). Turnovers: 18.