Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

ASHLAND, Ky. — Every time the Ironton Fighting Tigers tried to tighten things up, the Fleming County Panthers would loosen it up.

Ironton would make runs at Fleming County, but then the Panthers would go on another shooting spree.

Hitting 53 percent of the shots, the Panthers finished strong and pulled away to a 9056- win over the Fighting Tigers Sunday in the consolation round of the Ashland Invitational Tournament.

Fleming County hit 21-of-35 shots for 60 percent in the first half. Making 11-of-20 shots in the first quarter, the Panthers bolted to a 26-8 lead. They were even hotter in the second quarter as they made 10-of-15 shots and led 50-27 at the break.

Ironton (0-9) battled back in the third quarter as Tristan Cox hit a 3-pointer and Richard Crockrel made a layup to get within 54-39 at the 4:41 mark.

But a layup by Ashton Hall gave the Panthers a 61-44 lead at the end of the quarter.

A nice pass from Cox led to a layup by Crockrel and a steal and pass by Marques Davis ended with another Crockrel layup and Ironton was down 61-48 with 7:24 to play.

But the Panthers hit 9-of-12 shots from the field and 11-of-12 from the foul line in the fourth quarter as they began to pull away again.

Cox led Ironton with 17 points and 6 rebounds. Desmond Young had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Austin Crisp scored 22 points, Troy Steward 18 points and Wilder Williams had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Fleming County (7-5). Brady Saunders scored 15.

Ironton will honor the 1993-94 Final Four team when it hosts Peebles Friday.

Ironton 8 19 17 12 = 56

Fleming Co. 26 24 11 29 = 90

IRONTON (0-9): Tristan Cox 5 2 1-1 17, Marques Davis 1 0 2-2 4, Richard Crockrel 3 0 0-0 6, Desmond Young 5 0 1-5 11, Isaac Sherman 3 0 0-0 6, Nate Garred 3 0 0-0 6, Hunter Klaiber 0 0 0-0 0, Charles Scott 0 0 0-0 0, Joe Matkins 0 0 1-2 1, Isaiah Brickey-Scott 0 0 0-0 0, Logan Gleichauf 1 0 0-0 2, Tyler Ward 1 0 1-2 3, Chad Garris 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24-53 6-12 56. 3-point goals: 2-10. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 13-OR, 21-DR = 34 (Young 10, Cox 6). Team/deadball rebounds: 4. Assists: 14 (Crockrel 5, Garred 3, Davis 2). Steals: 5 (Crockrel 2). Turnovers: 25.

FLEMING COUNTY (7-5): Austin Crisp 5 2 6-6 22, Troy Steward 3 3 3-4 18, Wilder Williams 8 0 1-4 17, Bryson McKee 1 0 3-3 5, Brady Saunders 6 1 0-0 15, Kieon Crumbie 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron James 0 0 0-0 0, Ashton Hall 2 0 0-0 4, Austin Vice 2 0 1-1 5, Savon McAdams 0 0 0-0 0, Max Mitchell 0 0 0-0 0, Michael Todd 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 35-66 14-18 90. 3-point goals: 6-20. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 12-OR, 18-DR = 30 (Williams 11). Team/deadball rebounds: 2. Assists: 7 (Crisp 2, James 2). Steals: 20 (Williams 4, Saunders 3, Steward 3). Turnovers: 8.