Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WHEELERSBURG — That was the long and short of it.
The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers using 3-pointers against the Wheelersburg Lady Pirates 2-pointers. As it turned out, free throws were a key factor in the outcome as Ironton fell 53-46 on Monday.
Ironton hit 10 3-point field goals to only two for Wheelersburg, but the Lady Pirates made 19 from 2-point range to six for the Lady Fighting Tigers.
Also, the Lady Pirates were 9-of-14 at the foul line and Ironton was just 4-of-5.
Despite the loss, Ironton coach Doug Graham said he couldn’t fault his team’s effort.
“For the most part, our girls looked to score with no hesitation,” said Graham. “The girls are giving me all they have and they’re getting better. And they can be better.”
Ironton (5-8) used balanced scoring to take a 16-10 first quarter lead.
Haylee Stevens hit a pair of 3-pointers for Ironton in the second quarter, but that was all Ironton’s offense could generate as Wheelersburg rallied to take a 26-22 halftime lead.
Schreck drained three trifectas in the third quarter as Ironton came back to tie the game at 36.
But Abbie Kallner scored nine points in the fourth quarter as the Lady Pirates pulled away to the win.
Stevens led Ironton with 18 points. Schreck had 11 points and Lydia Hannan added nine.
Kallner had 22 points and Kaylee Darnell 14 for the Lady Pirates (11-3).
On Thursday, Ironton hosts Fairland.
Ironton 16 6 14 10 = 46
Wheelersburg 10 16 10 17 = 53
IRONTON (5-8): Riley Schreck 1 3 0-0 11, Lydia Hannan 2 1 2-3 9, Elli Williams 0 1 0-0 3, Kameren Arden 0 0 0-0 0, Haylee Stevens 2 4 2-2 18. Jada Rogers 1 1 0-0 5, Abbey Patterson 0 0 0-0 0, Sophie Caines 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 6 10 4-5 46. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: Hannan.
WHEELERSBURG (11-3): Lauren Jolly 0 0 1-2 1, Abbie Kallner 9 1 1-3 22, Lani Irwin 0 0 0-0 0, Alaina Keeney 1 0 1-1 3, Karlie Estep 3 0 0-0 6, Ellie Kallner 2 0 1-2 5, Kaylee Darnell 4 1 5-6 14. Totals: 19 2 9-14. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.