By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

The light at the end of the tunnel may have been peaking through a crack.

Ironton coach Doug Graham saw a lot of positives in the Lady Fighting Tigers 39-30 win over the Minford Lady Falcons on Monday.

“Definitely I’m pleased with our effort defensively,” said Graham. “We worked too hard in practice not to see improvement. Maybe we turned the corner a little bit as far as effort and intensity.”

Ariel Schweickart had 14 points and three steals, Emily had finished with seven rebounds and four steals, and Karlee McMackin and Alicia Murphy scored 8 oints each and combined for seven rebounds.

Ironton was short-handed entering the game. Starting forward Lexy Washington was missing due to an illness leaving the Lady Tigers with only nine players.

Graham said it took a team effort to get the win.

“Ariel played her best game all-around, Karlee played well. Really, everyone contributed in a positive way,” said Graham.

The game was not as close as the final score might indicate. Ironton’s defense limited Minford to 11 of 41 shooting for 27 percent and the Lady Falcons scored the final 9 points of the game to make the outcome look respectable.

Ironton went on an 8-0 run to start the game and led 12-2 at the end of the first quarter.

Minford got within 14-7 with 1:59 left in the second quarter on a foul shot by Kelsey Conkey, but Murphy hit a 15-footer and 3-pointer just before the buzzer to give Ironton a 19-7 halftime lead.

The Lady Tigers were up 32-17 at the end of the third quarter and Ironton led 38-19 with 5:08 to play on an 18-footer by Murphy.

Minford 2 5 10 13 = 30

Ironton 12 7 13 7 = 39

MINFORD (4-11): Tylin Bender 0 0 0-0 0, Carrie Wynn 2 0 0-0 4, Kylie Berry 0 0 0-0 0, Sara Simpson 2 0 0-0 4, Olivia Thouroughman 0 0 0-0 0, Logan Combs 1 0 0-0 2, Gabby Goose 3 0 2-2 8, Abby Fuhrmann 0 1 0-0 3, Kelsey Conkey 1 0 3-4 5, Morgan Perry 0 0 1-2 1, Jacelyn Thornberry 0 1 0-0 3. Totals: 11-41 6-8 30. 3-point: 2-16. Rebounds: 14-14=28 (Conkey 9). Rebounds: 5. Assists: 3. Steals: 6 (Conkey 3). Turnovers: 27. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (3-12): Emily Davis 2 0 0-2 4, Ariel Schweickart 2 2 4-4 14, Karlee McMackin 3 0 2-2 8, Alicia Murphy 2 1 1-2 8, Taylor Hannon 0 0 1-2 1, Saige Fields 1 0 0-0 2, Jordan Leach 0 0 0-0 0, Macy Wise 1 0 0-0 2, Casey Littlejohn 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-37 8-12 39. 3-point goals: 3-9. Rebounds: 10-15=25 (Davis 7, Murphy 4). Team rebounds: 6. Assists: 8 (Murphy 3, Schweickart 3). Steals: 14 (Murphy 4, Davis 4). Turnovers: 24. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.