Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SOUTH POINT — The South Point Lady Pointers did what they needed to do, and as a result got the win they needed.

South Point played their style and came away with a 42-40 win over the cold-shooting Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers on Monday.

The Lady Pointers controlled the pace of the game and used their size early to get the lead.

When Ironton began to rally late with its press, the Lady Pointers made some big plays to hang on for the win.

“”It was the kind of game we need to play,” said Lady Pointers’ coach Dave Adams. “We’ve been handling the pressure better. I thought Aundrea Bradburn did a nice job handling the ball and the pressure.”

The Lady Tigers’ shooting wasn’t critical, it was on life support. Ironton was just 8 of 43 from the field over the first three quarters for 18 percent and 15 of 60 for the game for 25 percent.

“We couldn’t throw in the ocean if we were standing in it,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham.

“We played pretty good defense. But we played sloppy at times and we didn’t play with great intensity at times. A lot of that has to do with not being able to score. You get frustrated and it affects your play.”

Brett Justice had 18 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots to lead the Lady Pointers. Laken Adams had 10 of South Point’s 42 rebounds, Abbey Winkley hit three clutch free throws and Brianna Whaley a big 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

Lexie Barrier had 13 points, 5 rebounds, 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots for Ironton (4-1). Alicia Murphy added 8 points and Karlee McMackin had 6 rebounds.

Ironton led 10-5 on a layup by Barrier but Justice converted a 3-point play and Whaley made two foul shots as the Lady Pointers tied the game at the end of the first quarter.

A free throw by McMackin had Ironton down 17-13 with 3:09 left in the half, but South Point closed the half with a 7-2 run to lead 24-15.

The Lady Pointers built their biggest lead at 32-20 on a layup by Justice with 2:28 left in the third quarter and it was 32-21 heading into the fourth quarter.

Barrier got a hot hand and began to rally Ironton. She scored 9 points including a 3-pointer with 4:36 left to tie the game at 32.

Justice made a layup and Winkler was fouled shooting a 3-pointer and made all three foul shots for a 37-32 lead.

Murphy’s trifecta got Ironton within 37-35, but Whaley answered with her own triple.

Murphy hit the front end of two foul shots with 12 seconds left and Ironton trailed 42-40. South Point got the rebound on the missed second shot and was able to run out the clock.

Ironton plays Elliott County, Ky., at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Coal Grove Shootout. South Point visits Chesapeake Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Ironton 10 5 6 19 = 40

South Point 10 14 8 10 = 42

IRONTON (4-1): Lexie Washington 1 0 1-2 3, Lexie Barrier 5 1 0 0-0 13, Ariel Schweickart 1 0 1-2 3, Karlee McMackin 0 0 2-4 2, Alicia Murphy 2 1 1-2 8, Alana Martin 2 0 0-0 4, Macy Wise 1 0 2-4 4, Taylor Hannan 1 0 1-1 3. Totals: 15-60 8-15 40. 3-point goals: 2-19. Rebounds: 23-15=38 (Washington 7, McMackin 6, Barrier 5, Schweickart 5). Team rebounds: 7. Assists: 5 (Murphy 3, Schweickart 2). Steals: 12 (Barrier 6, Schweickart 5). Turnovers: 15. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

SOUTH POINT (2-3): Abbey Winkler 1 0 5-5 7, Brett Justice 7 0 4-8 18, Laken Adams 1 0 0-0 2, Aundrea Bradburn 2 0 1-3 5, Brianna Whaley 0 2 2-2 8, Bonnie Hileman 1 0 0-0 2, Brianna Bacon 0 0 0-0 0, Haley Rawlins 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-42 12-18 42. 3-point goals: 2-10. Rebounds: 16-26=42 (Justice 14, Adams 10, Bradburn 5). Team rebounds: 7. Assists: 8 (Bradburn 4). Steals: 4 (Whaley 2). Turnovers: 22. Fouls: 12 Fouled out: None.