By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

LATHAM — What a difference a half makes.

The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings struggled offensively in the first half, then kicked it into gear in the second half en route to a 52-27 Southern Ohio Conference win over the Western Pike Lady Indians.

“The first half was a struggle offensively by both teams and we just came to life in the second half,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Lisa Bryant.

“We made a few adjustments on the defensive end and we came out srong the whole second half.”

The Lady Vikings trailed 11-7 at the end of the first quarter and 15-14 at the half.

But Kayla Hayes scored six points in the third quarter and Megan Johnson scored five as the Lady Vikings outscored Western 19-6 to take a 33-21 lead.

Ada Humphrey score six points in the fourth quarter with Johnson and Hayes scoring four each as the Lady Vikings again outscored Western 19-6.

“We made a few adjustments on the defensive end and we came out strong the whole second half,” said Bryant.

Hayes had a big game with 19 points, 12 rebounds and five steals. Johnson had 13 points, 12 rebounds and five steals.

Humphrey added 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Symmes Valley (5-4, 4-1) had 46 rebounds including 31 on the defensive end. The Lady Vikings had their best shooting performance of the season was they hit 38 percent from the field.

“Our rebounding and defensive effort was the difference in the game,” said Bryant.

Symmes Valley starting point guard Jessie Morris missed the game due to a knee injury. He status remains questionable.

“Hopefully we will get Jessie back healthy very soon,” said Bryant.

The Lady Vikings host Portsmouth Notre Dame at 6:30 p.m. Monday in an SOC game.

Symmes Valley 7 7 19 19 = 52

Western Pike 11 4 6 6 = 27

SYMMES VALLEY (5-4, 4-1): Malenna Davis 1 0 1-2 3, Abby Hankins 0 0 0-0 0, Yenni Kim 0 0 0-0 0, Hannah Maynard 0 0 0-0 0, Kayla Hayes 6 07-11 19, Kalli Hunt 2 0 1-2 5, Megan Johnson 5 0 3-4 13, Taylor Michael 1 0 0-2 2, Ada Humphrey 4 0 2-2 10. Totals: 19-50 14-24 52. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 15 offense, 31 defense = 46 (Johnson 12, Humphrey 12). Assists: 6. Steals: 18 (Hayes 5, Johnson 5). Turnovers: 16.

WESTERN PIKE (2-7): Gragg 0 0 0-0 0, Rhodes 2 0 0-0 4, Ross 3 0 0-0 6, Hawk 2 0 0-0 4, Reader 3 0 3-4 9, Fraley 1 0 0-2 2, Coulson 0 0 0-0 0, Jackson 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 12 0 3-6 27. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Ross.

Eastern 66, Green 27

BEAVER — Green Lady Bobcats’ coach Bucky Bridges is searching for some offense.

Green struggled from the field in a 66-27 loss to the Beaver Eastern Lady Eagles Thursday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“Our defense has been good, we just aren’t putting any points on the board,” said Bridges. “We didn’t play well, but Eastern is a good team. They had something to do with how we played.”

Courtney Rowe scored 13 in the first quarter as Eastern jumped out to a 19-1 lead and pulled away to a 39-9 halftime lead.

Rowe finished with 26 points.

Green (1-9, 1-7) was led by Ali Suttles with eight points and Jenna Crawford with six.

Green 1 8 4 14 = 27

Eastern 19 20 14 13 = 66

GREEN (1-9, 1-7): Ali Suttles 1 2 0-0 8, Gidget Timberman 2 0 0-0 4, Carlee Pollard 0 0 0-0 0, Dinah McCloud 1 0 1-3 3, Breanna Johnson 1 0 0-0 2, Jenna Crawford 1 1 1-2 6, Sami Crisp 1 0 0-3 2, Abbey Cline 0 0 0-0 0, Erin Imes 0 0 0-0 0, Jess Patrick 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 8 3 2-8 27. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 23 (Timberman 5, Suttles 4, Pollard 4). Assists: 3 (Johnson 2). Steals: 8 (Timberman 3, Suttles 3). Turnovers: 23.

BEAVER EASTERN (NA): Day 4 0 0-2 8, Mounts 5 0 0-0 10, Fitch 0 0 1-4 1, Alley 1 0 2-2 4, Evans 0 0 0-0 0, Courtney Rowe 9 2 2-2 26, Staker 3 0 0-0 6, Brown 1 0 2-4 4, Blanton 1 0 3-3 5. Totals: 25 2 10-17 66. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.