By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

BIDWELL — The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers didn’t make things easy for themselves, even when it was easy.

Ironton missed 22 shots in the paint but managed to overcome their cold shooting to beat the River Valley Lady Raiders 38-36 on Monday.

“We were nervous and we missed our shots,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham. “We missed a ton of easy shots in the paint.”

Ironton (1-1) failed to make nine shots in the paint in the first half and they missed 13 close-range shots in the second half.

But Emily Davis sank two foul shots to tie the game and Alicia Murphy hit two free throws with seven seconds to play that gave Ironton a 38-36 lead.

Ironton was called for a foul with no time on the clock, but the Lady Raiders missed the first free throw and did not attempt the second since the Lady Fighting Tigers had a two-point lead.

The Lady Tigers were just 13 of 53 from the field for 24 percent.

Karlee McMackin had 10 points and Murphy nine to pace Ironton. Lexie Washington grabbed nine rebounds, Ariel Schweickart had eight and McMackin six.

Graham praised McMackin for her overall performance.

“Karlee McMackin played a great defensive game in the post against (Tracy) Roberts. She’s 6-foto-1 and Karlee is about 5-9. I can’t say enough about her play,” said Graham.

“Lexie showed a lot more energy and enthusiasm from our first game. She’s only a freshman so it was nice to see her improve.”

Kady Gilmore led River Valley with 18 points.

Ironton opened the season against Eastern Brown on Friday in the Paint Valley Shootout.

Schweickart had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists to pace the Lady Tigers. Murphy and Washington added 8 points each.

Ironton (1-1) plays at Huntington, W.Va., on Monday.

Ironton 15 4 8 11 = 38

River Valley 11 4 6 15 = 36

IRONTON (1-1): Lexie Washington 1 0 0-0 2, Saige Fields 1 0 0-0 2, Taitlyn Dutey 1 0 0-0 2, Taylor Hannon 1 0 0-0 2, Ariel Schweickart 3 0 1-1 7, Emily Davis 1 0 2-2 4, Karlee McMackin 30 4-5 10, Alicia Murphy 2 0 5-6 9. Totals: 13 0 12-14 38. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Washington.

RIVER VALLEY (0-1): Shain Comer 1 0 2-2 4, Bess Misner 2 0 0-3 4, Ali Neville 0 0 4-4 4, Alexis Hurt 0 0 2-2 2, Kady Gilmore 2 2 8-8 18, Tracy Roberts 1 0 1-2 3, Kaci Bryant 0 0 1-3 1. Totals: 6 2 18-24 36. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.

Friday’s Game

Ironton 8 11 8 15 = 42

E. Brown 8 21 10 10 = 49

IRONTON (0-1): Lexie Washington 4 0 0-0 8, Taitlyn Dutey 2 0 0-0 4, Macy Wise 1 0 0-0 2, Ariel Schweickart 4 1 0-3 11, Emily Davis 1 0 1-2 3, Karlee McMackin 2 0 2-2 6, Alicia Murphy 3 0 2-2 8. Totals: 17 1 5-9 42. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Murphy.

EASTERN BROWN (1-0): Allison Prine 2 1 6-10 13, Maria Dawson 3 2 0-0 12, Andrea Tracy 1 20-1 8, Emile Turner 0 2 0-0 6, Kayla Seigia 2 0 6-8 10. Totals: 8 7 12-19 49. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.