Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WILLOW WOOD — The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings needed something to get them going, so they enlisted the help of Monsters, Inc.
The company sent Jenna Malone to help turn a first quarter deficit into a 52-48 Southern Ohio Conference win over the Western Lady Indians on Thursday.
“We got off to a bad start, but we played a lot better in the second half,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Shannon Pierce. “Jenna Malone had a monster game. It was nice to get a win.”
Malone the Monster had a career-high 28 points and pulled down 8 rebounds to lead the Lady Vikings (4-9, 3-6).
Payton Hunter had 5 assists and Rachael Hayes and Hunter had 4 steals apiece.
Alicia Francis scored 12 points to pace Western (2-12, 2-7).
Symmes Valley trailed 16-10 after the first quarter as Chloe Beekman and Brooklyn Tackett combined for 11points and it was 16-10. Hailee Littlejohn had four points for the Lady Vikings.
Malone hit a 3-pointer and scored 9 points including two foul shots and the Lady Vikings were down just 25-22 at the half.
Taylor Sells scored all 6 of her points and Malone hit a 3-pointer and scored 6 points as Symmes Valley tied the game at 34.
In the fourth quarter, Jordan Rittenhouse and Francis each hit a 3-pointer and scored 5 points while the Lady Vikings were deadly at the foul line.
Hayes was 3-for-6 but Malone converted 9-of-12 attempts as the Lady Vikings held on for the win.
On Monday, Symmes Valley visits Portsmouth Notre Dame on Monday.
Western 16 9 9 14 = 48
Sym. Valley 10 12 12 18 = 52
WESTERN (2-12, 2-7): Brooklyn Tackett 0 1 4-4 7, Chloe Beekman 3 0 1-2 7, Kenzi Ferneau 1 0 1-2 3, Jordyn Rittenhouse 1 1 0-0 5, Alyssa Marhoover 2 0 3-6 7, Alicia Francis 3 2 0-0 12, Sakayla Beckett 0 0 0-2 0. Totals: 11 5 11-20 48. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Ferneau.
SYMMES VALLEY (4-9, 3-6): Jenna Malone 3 2 16-20 28, Payton Hunter 0 0 0-1 0, Meredith Humphreys 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Sells 3 0 0-0 6, Rachael Hayes 1 0 3-6 5, Kaylee Cade 1 0 0-0 2, Lauren Wells 0 0 0-0 0, Hailee Littlejohn 3 0 1-2 7, Spring Ross 2 0 0-0 4 Totals: 13 2 20-29 52. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Littlejohn.