Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

LATHAM — Missed chances early cost the Symmes Valley Vikings late.

Missing some close-range shots in the first quarter, the Vikings were unable to get the lead late in a 48-41 Southern Ohio Conference loss to the Western Indians on Friday.

“It came down to little things. We didn’t execute. We had a lot of opportunities to jump on them early but we didn’t,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

“We played good defense, but we fouled them too much. We need to be more consistent on offense.”

Fouls proved to be a factor in the outcome. Western connected on 16-of-24 free throws for the game while the Vikings were only 4-of-8.

Symmes Valley (3-6, 2-3) was led by Shawn Belville with 17 points. Collin Webb added 9 points.

Western (5-6, 2-4) was paced by Tanner Purdue with 20 points.

The Indians took an 8-6 first quarter lead as Belville scored all of the Vikings’ points.

Webb had 6 points in the second quarter as Symmes Valley rallied to take a 19-18 halftime lead.

Western began to pull away in the third quarter but Derrek Smith hit a pair of 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 33-31.

Bellville scored 7 points in the fourth quarter but Western made five clutch foul shots to secure the win.

Symmes Valley hosts Portsmouth Notre Dame on Tuesday in a league game.

Sym. Valley 6 13 12 10 = 41

Western 8 10 15 15 = 48

SYMMES VALLEY (3-6, 2-3): Levi Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Chayden Renfroe 1 0 0-0 2, Collin Webb 3 1 0-0 9, Shawn Belville 7 0 3-4 17, Payton Hayes 1 0 0-0 2, Derrek Smith 0 2 0-0 6, Eric Baldwin 0 0 1-3 1, Forrest Humphrey 0 0 0-0 0, Jared Shepherd 2 0 0-1 4, Totals: 14 3 4-8 41. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Smith.

LATHAM WESTERN (5-6, 2-4): Ethan Dunn 0 0 0-0 0, Robert Lykins 0 0 0-0 0, Dylan Stevens 3 0 1-2 7, Adam Smithson 0 0 4-5 4, Lane Brewster 1 2 0-0 8, Zach Herman 0 0 1-2 1, Tanner Purdue 6 0 8-11 20, Austin Hersman 0 0 0-0 0, Bryce Brewster 3 0 2-4 8. Totals: 13 2 16-24 48. Fouls 13. Fouled out: None.