By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

ASHLAND, Ky. — The Ashland Kittens came out hot and never cooled off.

Ashland came out shooting nearly 60 percent and kept shooting well in a 73-36 win over the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers on Thursday.

Ashland (11-3) hit 10 of 17 shots in the first quarter to lead 25-6. They hit 30 of 66 shots from the game including 23 of 42 from 2-point range for 55 percent. The Kittens also made 7 of 24 shots from behind the arc.

Ironton (2-9) was just 29 percent from the field for the game against the taller Kittens.

Julia Heaberlin had 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead a balanced Ashland offense. Alexis Robinson, Kaylyn Gamble and Haley Sue Foutch all had 9 points each.

Lexy Washington had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds for Ironton. Karlee McMackin added 10 points and 4 rebounds, Alicia Murphy grabbed 6 rebounds and Ariel Schweickart finished with 8 points and 2 steals.

Emily Davis made a layup to start the game and Ironton had its only lead. Sydney Cullop tied the game and Robinson and Gambill hit back-to-back 3-pointers as Ashland took the lead for good.

Ironton trailed 42-14 at the half. A baseline shot by McMackin made it 46-20, but that was as close as Ironton would get.

Ironton 6 8 8 14 = 36

Ashland 25 17 19 12 = 73

IRONTON (2-9): Emily Davis 1 0 0-2 2, Ariel Schweickart 1 1 3-4 8, Karlee McMackin 4 0 2-2 10, Alicia Murphy 2 0 2-2 6, Lexy Washington 3 0 4-5 10, Saige Fields 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Leach 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Hannon 0 0 0-0 0, Macy Wise 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 12-41 11-17 36. 3-point goals: 1-2. Rebounds: 10-19=29 (Washington 11, Murphy 6, McMackin 4). Team rebounds: 3. Assists: 5 (Murphy 2, Davis 2). Steals: 4 (Schweickart 2). Turnovers: 20. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: McMackin (4th 2:03).

ASHLAND (11-3): Alexis Robinson 3 1 0-0 9, Kaylyn Gambill 1 2 1-1 9, Sydney Cullop 3 0 0-0 6, Mykal Ferris 3 0 2-2 8, Julia Heaberlin 6 0 1-2 13, Allie Slone 1 2 0-0 8, Haley Sue Foutch 2 1 2-2 9, Madison Jones 2 1 0-0 7, Cayce Layne 0 0 0- 0, Shelby Gransberry 1 0 0-0 2, Josie Roberts 0 0 0-0 0, Alex Young 1 0 0-0 2, Breanna Gransberry 0 0 0-0 0, Kaitlin Hammond 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 30-66 6-7 73. 3-point goals: 7-24. Rebounds: 18-22=40 (Heaberlin 10). Team rebounds: 5. Assists: 11 (Ferris 3, Robinson 3). Steals: 11 (Robinson 3). Turnovers: 10. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.