When the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers need a jump start with their offense, they simply

turn to their defense.

Ironton's defensive pressure proved to be the difference as they beat the Rock Hill Redwomen 66-24 Monday in the season opener for both teams.

&#8220We struggled a little offensively to start the game, but our defense did a good job of applying pressure and getting us in a good rhythm,” said assistant coach Jeff Linn who was filling in for absent head coach Amy Hughes.

&#8220We were a little jittery at first, but once we got our defense going and forced some turnovers we were OK.”

Ironton's defense forced 28 turnovers that triggered numerous easy layups.

&#8220We have to do a better job handling the pressure. We rushed ourselves,” Redwomen coach Matt Fulks said.

Sara Hacker and Jessica Waddle had 17 points each to lead Ironton. Hacker came into the game needing just three points to reach 1,000 for her career.

Hacker hit her milestone goal with 4:38 left in the second quarter as she made a layup and was fouled. She converted the free throw to give Ironton a 26-9 lead.

Hacker was 1-for-6 to start the game, then made three straight after getting her 1,000th point.

&#8220I felt like I had a lot of pressure. I don't know why,” Hacker said. &#8220I felt relieved when I finally scored.”

Danielle Henderson added 14 points for the Lady Tigers. Mandi McKenzie led Rock Hill with 7 points.

Waddle scored eight points in the first quarter as Ironton jumped out to a 14-0 lead and went on to take a 21-6 lead.

Hacker scored 9 of her point in the second quarter as Ironton built a 37-12 halftime advantage.

Rock Hill66102=24

Ironton2116216=66

ROCK HILL (0-1):

Brooke Long 1-5 (1-4) 0-0 3, Brittany Ross 0-2 (0-0) 0-0 0, Mandi McKenzie 3-4 (0-0) 1-2 7, Bobbi Harper 0-4 (0-3) 1-2 1, Michelle Pancake 1-5 (0-0) 1-4 1, 0-2 (0-0) 0-0 0, Samantha Harris 3-5 (2-4) 0-0 8, Kelsey Harris 0-2 (0-0) 0-0 0, Gretchen Dickess 0-1 (0-1) 0-0 0, Kayla Skaggs 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0, Elisha Daniels 0-3 (0-1) 0-0 0, Jamie Scott 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0, Amy Layne 0-2 (0-0) 0-0 0, Amanda Whitt 1-2 (0-1) 0-0 2. Totals: 9-34

(3-14)

3-8

24. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 20 (McKenzie 4). Steals: 3 (Harper 2). Turnovers: 28.

IRONTON (1-0):

Jessica Waddle 7-15

(1-3)

2-2 17, Danielle Henderson 6-12

(0-0) 2-2 14, Mandi Boykin 2-8 (0-3) 4-7

8, Ciara Taylor 2-4 (0-0) 0-2 4, Sara Hacker 6-12

(0-5)

5-5 17, Chelsea Cleary 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0, Mercedes Crockrel 1-3 (0-1) 0-0 2, Kayla Wileman 1-4 (0-1) 0-0 2, Rachel Walker 0-1 (0-0) 0-0 0, Ashley Moritz 0-0 (0-0) 0-2 0, Jessica Weaver 1-2 (0-0) 0-1 2, Sami Morgan 0-4 (0-1) 0-0 0, Edi Taylor 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0. Totals: 26-65

(1-14)

13-21

66. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 42 (Henderson 6, Boykin 5, Hacker 6). Assists: 10 (Boykin 5). Steals: 15 (Waddle 5, Boykin 4). Turnovers: 11.

Reserve game: Ironton 36, Rock Hill 17. Ironton scoring: Kayla Wileman,m Jessica Weaver 9 points. Rock Hill scoring: Elisha Daniels 7.