SCIOTOVILLE — If something is free, you have to take advantage of it.

That wasn’t the case for the Symmes Valley Vikings who struggled at the free throw line but managed to hold on for a 73-65 win over the Portsmouth East Tartans Friday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“We played pretty good ball, we just didn’t make our free throws at the end,” Vikings coach Alvin Carpenter said.

The Vikings (3-5, 3-2) were 5 of 8 from the foul line heading into the fourth quarter, but they were only 2 of 10 in the final quarter including an 0 for 6 stretch.

Things started well for the Vikings before the near meltdown at the end.

Matt Owens scored nine points in the first quarter as Symmes Valley jumped on East for a 29-8 lead. Michael Humphreys had eight points in the second quarter but John Luther score seven for East and the lead was 43-23 at the break.

Nathan Williams, who had just two points in the first half, got the hot hand in the third quarter and nailed four 3-pointers as East closed the gap to 56-42.

Adam Jones came off the bench to score 11 points in the fourth quarter for East while the Vikings were floundering at the foul line. Kirt Shipley did scored eight points to help the Vikings maintain their lead.

“We missed the front end of a one-and-one three times which is like missing another three shots,” Carpenter said.

“East and New Boston are two of the toughest places to play because their gyms are smaller and they play well here. I’m just happy to get out of here with a win.”

Humphreys finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Owens scored 20 points and had seven steals, Meadows got 12 points and 13 rebounds and Shipley added 14 points.

Williams and Jones scored 15 points each for East (1-7, 1-3) while Luther had 13 and Alex Shope 10.

Sym. Valley29141317=73

Prts. East8151923=65

SYMMES VALLEY (3-, 3-2): Tyler Smith 2 0 1-2 5, Kirk Shipley 5

1-2 14, Kyle Meadows 0 0 0-4 12, Matt Owens 4 3 3-7 20, Michael Humphreys 10 0 2-2 22, Alex Burnett 0 0 0-1 0, Justin Wiseman 0 0 0-0 0, Seth Saunders 0 0 0-0 0, Jerry Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 33-60

(4-12)

7-18

73. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Saunders. Rebounds: 49 (Meadows 13, Humphreys 13). Assists: 19.

PORTSMOUTH EAST (1-7, 1-3): Jeff Swick 0 0 7-8 7, Adam Jones 5 1 2-2 15, Nathan Williams 0 5 0-0 15, Kevin Scott 1 0 1-7 3, John Luther 6 1 0-1 13, Alex Shope 5 0 0-4 10. Totals: 17

7

10-22

65. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.