Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

BEAVER — The Symmes Valley Vikings were thisclose to upsetting the Eastern Eagles.
A bad third quarter was the difference as Eastern avoided the Vikings’ upset bid by getting a 68-64 Southern Ohio Conference win on Tuesday.
“They’re the first-place team and we played on their floor and we competed. We’re improving. Having 16 turnovers hurt us and they only had five,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.
Ethan Leist scored seven points and Michael Miller added four more as Eastern took a 17-12 first quarter lead. Jordan Lucas scored six points for the Vikings.
Sam Angelo scored eight points and Payton Hayes hit a 3-pointer in the second quarter as Symmes Valley rallied to tie the game 31-31 at the half.
Cody Weaver and Miller combined for nine points in the quarter for the Eagles.
Eastern opened up a 53-46 lead in the third quarter as Leist scored seven more points. Jarod Sheppard scored seven points, Angelo five and Hayes hit another 3-pointer for the Vikings.
“It got away from us in the third quarter, but we fought hard. We went to play,” said Saunders.
“We’re within an inch. We just have to get over the hump on a few things. I thought we’d have a chance. I felt we could play with them.”
The Vikings mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter as Lucas had five points as he and Hayes each hit 3-pointers and Sheppard drained a pair of trifectas.
The Eagles made just two field goals in the quarter but Eastern was 9-of-14 from the foul line with Leist going 4-of-4.
Sheppard and Angelo scored 19 points each and Lucas added 13 points for the Vikings (5-8, 2-6). Hayes had nine points on three 3-pointers.
Leist had a game-high 21 points for Eastern. Miller scored 14 and Weaver added 10.
The Vikings host Western on Wednesday and host New Boston on Friday.
Sym. Valley    12    19    15    18    =    64
Eastern       17    14    22    13    =    68
SYMMES VALLEY (5-8, 2-6): Levi Cade 0 0 0-0 0, Chayden Renfroe 1 0 0-0 2, Sam Angelo 5 2 3-5 19, Payton Hayes 0 3 0-0 9, Jordan Lucas 4 1 2-2 13, Laykin Gothard 1 0 0-0 2, Hunter Adams 0 0 0-0 0, Jarod Sheppard 5 3 0-3 19, Brock Carpenter 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 9 5-10 64. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Lucas.
BEAVER EASTERN (NA): Evan Leist 2 0 2-6 6, Noah Gray 0 0 0-0 0, Quentin Alley 1 0 2-2 4, Tyler Hale 2 0 2-2 6, Ethan Leist 6 0 9-12 21, Clay Martin 2 1 2-2 9, Cody Weaver 5 0 0-1 10, Michael Miller 5 0 4-5 14. Totals: 23 1 19-28 68. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.