Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

WILLOW WOOD — It was a case of good news and bad news for the Symmes Valley Vikings.

The Vikings did some good things, but did other things not so well as they fell 56-42 to the Eastern Eagles in a key Southern Ohio Conference I game on Friday.

“Our defense was good, we just couldn’t get the offense going,” said Vikings’ coach Donnie Saunders.

“Turnovers hurt us and they were unforced turnovers. I was really proud of our defense, but we have to take better care of the ball.”

Tyler Rowe had 16 points and 5 rebounds for the Vikings (4-4, 2-2). D.J. Miller scored 14 points and Austin Baldwin had 6 rebounds.

Eastern (7-2) was led by Chad Lands with 16 points. Josh Thacker scored 14 and Colton Lightle had 10 points.

Symmes Valley was guilty of 18 turnovers but 13 came in the first half. The Eagles took advantage of the mistakes as they built a 30-16 halftime lead.

Rowe scored 9 points in the third quarter as the Vikings cut the deficit to 40-34.

But the Eagles converted 7 of 10 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Eastern was 12 of 19 from the line for the game.

Symmes Valley shot just 14 of 40 from the field for 35 percent and only 2 of 12 from 3-point range.

Eastern 13 17 10 16 = 56

Sym. Valley 9 7 18 8 = 42

BEAVER EASTERN (7-2): Colton Lightle 1 2 2-2 10, Justin Fultz 0 1 0-0 3, Chad Lands 0 3 7-8 16, Tavares Pickett 3 0 0-1 6, Josh Thacker 6 0 2-3 14, Brandon Murphy 3 0 1-5 7. Totals: 13 6 12-19 56. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (4-4, 2-2): Alec Herrell 2 0 2-2 6, D.J. Miller 3 2 2-2 14, Austin Baldwin 2 0 0-2 4, Clayton Toney 0 0 2-2 2, Tyler Rowe 6 0 4-4 16, Dylan Malone 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-40 10-12 42. 3-point goals: 2-12. Rebounds: 19 (Baldwin 6, Rowe 5). Assists: 4. Steals: 6. Turnovers: 18. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.