By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

WILLOW WOOD — The weather forecast said freezing cold temperatures were on the way this weekend. They arrived a little early in the Symmes Valley gym.

The Lady Vikings shot a mere 23 percent from the field and 52 percent from the foul line but still managed to pull out a 42-41 win over the Green Lady Bobcats Thursday on a free throw by Jessie Morris with nine seconds to play.

“I think an artic blast has hit our team,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Lisa Bryant. “We are still struggling form the floor, but we played better in the last half of the game to pull out this win.”

Morris finished with 18 points, five rebounds and three steals as the Lady Vikings improved to 3-2 overall and 31 in the Southern Ohio Conference.

Kayla Hayes added 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals. Kalli Hunt and Megan Johnson also had 10 rebounds each.

Green (1-4, 1-3) was led by Gidget Timberman with 17 points and six rebounds. Ali Suttles had 11 points while Carlee Pollard grabbed nine rebounds.

“It was a tough game. Both teams played hard. We just couldn’t get our shots to fall late,” said Green coach Bucky Bridges.

The Lady Vikings led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter as Morris scored six points. Timberman had five for Green.

Symmes Valley went up 22-17 at the half, but Timberman and Jenna Crawford combined for 11 points in the third quarter as the Lady Bobcats pulled away to a 34-29 lead.

Trailing by as many as seven points early in the fourth quarter, the Lady Vikings came back to tie the game as Morris scored four points and Hayes three.

Morris was fouled with nine seconds and hit one of two shots for the lead. Green managed to get off a shot that missed its mark.

“This team never gives up or quits. I am proud of how all of them pulled together to give us a victory tonight,” said Bryant. “We did well on the boards and we got 17 steals.”

The Lady Vikings held a 47-31 rebound advantage.

Green 9 8 17 7 = 41

Symmes Valley 10 12 7 13 = 42

GREEN (1-4, 1-3): Ali Suttles 4 1 0-0 11, Gidget Timberman 5 2 1-4 17, Carlee Pollard 1 0 0-0 2, Dinah McCloud 0 0 0-0 0, Breanna Johnson 1 0 2-2 4, Jenna Crawford 1 1 2-3 7, Sammi Crisp 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16-51 5-9 41. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 4. Rebounds: 31 (Pollard 9, Timberman 6, Johnson 6). Assists: 10 (Suttles 2, Timberman 2). Steals: 12 (Pollard 4). Turnovers: 18.

SYMMES VALLEY (3-2, 3-1): Malenna Davis 0 0 0-0 0, Hannah Maynard 0 0 0-0 0, Jessie Morris 6 0 6-12 18, Kayla Hayes 3 0 5-11 11, Kalli Hunt 1 0 1-4 3, Megan Johnson 1 0 0-0 2, Taylor Michael 1 0 0-0 2, Ada Humphrey 1 0 4-4 6. Totals: 13-57 16-31 42. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: None. Rebounds: 20 offense, 27 defense = 47 (Hayes 10, Johnson 10, Hunt 10, Humphrey 7, Morris 5). Steals: 17 (Hayes 7, Morris 3, Humphrey 3, Johnson 3). Turnovers: 17.