By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editowr

ATHENS — The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings celebrated Valentine’s Day by giving coach Lisa Bryant something sweet: a tournament win.

The Lady Vikings used a strong defensive effort to beat the winless Federal Hocking Lady Lancers 46-31 Monday in the Division IV sectional tournament semifinals.

Symmes Valley used its press to force 28 turnovers including 10 in the first quarter.

With only five players on their team, the Lady Lancers utilize a 1-2-2 zone and the Lady Vikings took advantage right away as Megan Johnson drilled three wide-open baseline shots in the first quarter.

Kayla Hayes applied the pressure and came up with three of her eight steals in the opening stanza and converted all three into layups as the Lady Vikings took a 12-5 lead.

Symmes Valley (8-13) used its bench to help wear down the Lady Lancers in the second quarter and limit them to only four points. The Lady Vikings scored eight points to open up a 20-9 halftime lead.

The Lady Vikings got their offense going in the third quarter with 20 points including an 8-0 run to close the quarter as Malenna David drained back-to-back treys and it was 40-20.

Federal Hocking finished the game with just four players as Alex Putman fouled out. The Lady Lancers managed to outscore the Lady Vikings 7-2 over the final 2:35 of the fourth quarter.

Hayes led the Lady Vikings with 18 points while Davis had nine points and four assists. Kalli Hunt grabbed 10 rebounds.

Symmes Valley will play second-seeded Eastern Meigs at 2:45 p.m. Saturday at Athens High School.

Cheyanne Singer had 11 points and 18 rebounds to pace the Lady Lancers (0-21). She had just three points and five rebounds in the first half.

Federal Hocking 5 4 11 11 = 31

Symmes Valley 12 8 20 6 = 46

FEDERAL HOCKING (0-21): Kate Russell 0 3 0-0 9, Ashton Cale 0 2 0-0 6, Whitney Gillian 0 0 2-2 2, Alex Putman 0 1 0-0 3, Cheyanne Singer 5 0 1-3 11. Totals: 11-32 3-5 31. 3-point goals: 6-18. Rebounds: 33 (Singer 18). Assists: 7 (Gillian 4). Steals: 1 (Singer). Blocked shots: 6 (Singer 4). Turnovers: 28.

SYMMES VALLEY (8-13): Malenna Davis 0 3 0-0 9, Abby Hankins 0 0 0-0 0, Yenni Kim 0 0 0-0 0, Jessie Morris 0 0 0-0 0, Kayla Hayes 8 0 2-8 18, Kalli Hunt 2 0 1-2 5, Megan Johnson 3 0 0-0 6, Hannah Maynard 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Michael 2 0 0-0 4, Ada Humphrey 1 0 2-2 4. Totals: 19-59 5-12 46. 3-point goals: 3-13. Rebounds: 29 (Hunt 10). Assists: 12 (Davis 4). Steals: 16 (Hayes 8). Blocked shots: 0. Turnovers: 5.

(Andy Crawford of the Athens Messenger contributed to this story.)