Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — The St. Joseph Flyers were looking for another road win on Saturday. And with their shots not falling, they had to look for another way to win.
They found another way but turning to their defense and because of that they found that road win as they beat the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans 52-48.
“We played hard on defense,” said Flyers’ coach Chris Barnes. “We were struggling with our shooting, but finding a way to win is a credit to these kids. That’s a hard place to play.”
The Flyers (8-2) had three players in double figures as J.C. Damron scored 13, Zach Roach 12 and Jimmy Mahlmeister 11. Isaac Whaley and Ryan Payne scored eight points each.
Not re Dame also had three players in double figures led by Ben Mader with 13 points. Jackson Clark and Cole Harrell had 10 points each.
Whaley hit a pair of trifectas and scored all eight of his points in the first quarter while Roach added a trey in his five points to give the Flyers a 15-11 lead.
Harrell hit a 3-pointer and score five points for the Titans.
Mahlmeister had a trey and Roach a basket as the Flyers went stone cold and scored just five points in the second quarter.
However, the defense limited the Titans to seven points and it was 20-18 at the half.
Each team scored 16 points in the third quarter as the Flyers held onto a 36-34 lead.
Damron hit a 3-pointer and score eight points while Payne and Mahlmeister scored four each. Clark hit a triple and scored seven points with Mader getting five points including a 3-pointer.
In the fourth quarter, Roach and Damron had five points each and Mahlmeister four as the Flyers outscored the Titans 16-14.
St. Joseph converted 6-of-9 from the foul line down the stretch.
“We got stops when we needed and hit some big free throws late. We’ve been on the road forever and still two more road games,” said Barnes.
St. Joseph plays at Sciotoville East next Saturday followed by a trip to New Boston before returning home for six straight games.
St. Joseph 15 5 16 16 = 52
Notre Dame 11 7 16 14 = 48
ST. JOSEPH (8-2): Jackson Rowe 0 0 0-0 0, Isaac Whaley 1 2 0-0 8, Zach Roach 4 1 1-3 12, Ryan Payne 3 0 2-2 8, J.C. Damron 2 1 6-7 13, Jimmy Mahlmeister 4 1 0-0 11, Matt Sheridan 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 5 9-12 52. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: Whaley.
PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (NA): Jake McGuire 0 0 0-0 0, Cole Harrell 2 2 0-0 10, Ben Mader 4 1 2-3 13, Jackson Clark 2 2 0-0 10, Caleb Nichols 2 1 0-0 7, Ethan Kammer 3 0 0-2 6, Gabe Pettay 1 0 0-1 2. Totals: 14 6 2-6 48. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Harrell.