NEW BOSTON — The offense got things started and then the defense took over.

The Symmes Valley Vikings erupted for 25 points in the first quarter and then the defense stymied the New Boston Tigers’ offense in a 71-49 rout Friday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“We played well defensively,” said Vikings’ coach Jerome Fuller. “It’s nice to get a win here. Any time you get a win here, you’re happy. This is one of the toughest places there is to play.”

The Vikings put three players in double figures led by Kris Tibbs with 18 points. Luke Taylor scored 17 and Josh Craft had 15 points.

Craft pumped in 11 points and Tibbs 10 points as they combined for 21 of the Vikings’ 25 points to open up a 25-8 first quarter cushion.

“We came out red hot the first quarter. The second quarter we took some bad shots, but we played a little better in the second half and our defense took over,” said Fuller.

New Boston cut the deficit to 37-22 at the half, but the Vikings pulled away to a 53-33 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Symmes Valley 25 12 16 18 = 71

New Boston 8 14 11 16 = 49

SYMMES VALLEY (9-5, 7-3): Drew Brock 1 0 0-0 2, Brad Lemaster 0 0 0-0 0, Justin Payne 1 0 2-2 4, Kris Tibbs 6 0 6-8 18, Cory Brown 1 0 0-1 2, Luke Taylor 8 0 1-2 17, Hunter Johnson 1 0 0-0 2, Josh Craft 3 2 3-4 15, Brandon Bowling 2 0 1-1 5, Michael Ferris 2 0 0-0 4, Jacob Patterson 1 0 0-2 2, Ryan Stanley 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 28-71 13-20 71. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 2-12. Rebounds: 38 (Taylor 8, Johnson 7). Assists: 15 (Bowling 4, Craft 3). Steals: 15 (Taylor 4). Turnovers: 16. Blocked shots: 6 (Stanley 3).

NEW BOSTON (4-12, 2-9): Matt Moore 1 0 0-0 2, Shane Buckley 1 0 2-4 4, Tyler Messer 2 2 0-0 10, Steven Russell 1 3 0-0 11, Drew Delotell 4 2 2-3 16, Levi Horsley 1 0 0-2 2, Zach Wolfe 1 0 0-2 2, Nate Henson 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 12 7 4-11 49. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: None.