Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — When the offense isn’t clicking, it’s always good to know that the defense is sticking.
The St. Joseph Female Flyers used a sticky defense to trigger a 36-31 win over the Portsmouth Lady Trojans on Wednesday.
“Defensively, we couldn’t have played much better. I couldn’t have pictured a better effort,” said St. Joseph coach Nick Miller.
“We have to do a better job on the boards. We need to screen the boards better and be more aggressive, but our defense covered up any shortcomings.”
St. Joseph (3-2) was just 12-of-38 from the field and 8-of-20 at the foul line. The Female Flyers did connect on 4-of-9 shots from 3-point range.
Miller said his team’s ability to overcome Portsmouth’s press was another key to the win.
“They tried to press us but we were able to handle their pressure for the most part. Handling their pressure and then stringing some free throws together at the end to keep the lead were key factors,” said Miller.
Lynsey Booker had 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals to lead St. Joseph. Morgan Turner had 12 points, 4 steals and 2 assists, Ashley Bartram grabbed 8 rebounds while Alyson Johnson added 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
Faythe Lee led Portsmouth (2-3) with 11 points.
The Lady Trojans took an 8-5 lead in the first quarter as Kylisha Kearns scored 4 points. Booker hit a 3-pointer for St. Joseph.
Turner and Booker scored 5 points each in the second quarter as the Female Flyers rallied to take a 15-14 lead at the break.
Lee had 5 points in the third quarter as Portsmouth tied the game at 23.

The Female Flyers were just 1-of-6 from the line in the quarter.
Booker and Turner combined for 9 points and St. Joseph made 6-of-8 from the line in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win.
“We knew it would be a tough game for us, so I was pleased to come away with a win on the road,” said coach Miller.
St. Joseph hosts Trimble at 7:30 p.m. in a varsity-only game.
St. Joseph    5    10    8    13    =    36
Portsmouth    8    6    9    8    =    31
ST. JOSEPH (3-2): Ashley Bartram 1 0 0-1 2, Morgan Turner 2 2 2-7 12, Alyson Johnson 0 0 1-2 1, Ashlee Blankenship 1 0 0-1 2, Natalie Heaberlin 0 0 0-0 0, Grace Miller 0 0 0-0, Lauren Bush 0 0 0-0 0, Megan Riley 0 1 1-2 4, Lynsey Booker 4 1 4-7 15. Totals: 12-38 8-20 36. 3-point goals: 4-9. Rebounds: 13-O, 14-D = 27 (Booker 9, Bartram 8, Johnson 4). Assists: 5 (Turner 2). Steals: 13 (Booker 4, Turner 4, Johnson 3). Turnovers: 17. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.
PORTSMOUTH (2-3): Jasmine Eley 1 0 0-0 2, Kylisha Kearns 4 0 0-0 8, Faythe Lee 5 0 1-3 11, Wesleigh Jackson 0 1 1-2 4, Destiny McKenzie 0 0 0-2 0, Semajah Parker 3 0 0-3 6. Totals: 13 1 2-10 31. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.