By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

BEAVER — One bad apple didn’t spoil the whole game, but it did make it more difficult.

Beaver Eastern used a strong second quarter to beat the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings 58-40 Thursday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

“I know an 18-point loss is never good, but it did not seem like an 18-point loss,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Lisa Bryant.

“At times we showed what a good team we have, and then just as soon as we do that we turn around and show what a young team we have.”

The game was tied 12-12 at the end of the first quarter, but Eastern outscored the Lady Vikings 21-10 in the second quarter to take a 33-22 halftime lead.

“Their full-court pressure hurt us in the second quarter. We had 15 turnovers in the first half. We got through their press for the most part, but once again we were our own worst enemy. We would get through the press and overthrow the open man near or under the basket,” said Bryant.

Eastern went up 45-32 at the end of the third quarter. The Lady Vikings had just eight points in the fourth quarter — six by Kayla Hayes.

Hayes led the Lady Vikings with 16 points. She also had four rebounds and two assists.

Ada Humphrey had 14 points and six rebounds while Kalli Hunt had seven rebounds and four blocked shots.

“I thought Ada Humphrey had the best game of the season. She went strong to the basket,” said Bryant.

“I also thought Kayla Hayes did a good job running the offense. All in all, I was proud of our defensive effort.”

Rowe and Staker scored 18 points each to lead Eastern (11-2, 9-1).

Symmes Valley hosts New Boston at noon Saturday in a makeup game and visits Portsmouth West on Monday and visit Green on Wednesday.

Symmes Valley 12 10 10 8 = 40

Beaver Eastern 12 21 13 12 = 58

SYMMES VALLEY (5-8,4-5): Malena Davis 3 0 0-0 6, Hannah Maynard 0 0 0-0 0, Kayla Hayes 7 0 2-2 16, Kalli Hunt 1 0 1-2 3, Megan Johnson 0 0 1-2 1, Taylor Michael 0 0 0-0 0, Ada Humphrey 7 0 0-2 14. Totals: 18-38 4-8 40. Fouls: 5. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 23 (Hunt 7, Humphrey 6, Hayes 4). Assists: 7 (Davis 3, Hayes 2). Steals: 6. Turnovers: 26. Blocked shots: 6 (Hunt 4).

BEAVER EASTERN (11-2, 9-1): Day 2 0 0-0 4, Mounts 6 0 0-0 12, Fitch 1 0 2-2 4, Alley 0 0 0-0 0, Rowe 3 3 3-4 18, Staker 9 0 0-0 18, Brown 1 0 0-0 2, Roney 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22 3 5-6 58. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.