By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

NEW BOSTON — When Symmes Valley hosted New Boston a few days ago, the Lady Vikings would have won if they had scored just two more points.

Thursday the Lady Vikings got just two points in the first quarter and as a result lost 55-44 to the Lady Tigers in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

New Boston took advantage of the Lady Vikings cold shooting to take an 18-2 first quarter lead and Symmes Valley never recovered.

“Oh, if we could have the first quarter back,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Lisa Bryant. “We could not throw it in the ocean in the first quarter and New Boston made everything they shot. It was quite amazing.”

Symmes Valley was just 18 of 68 from the field for 26 percent and 7 of 19 from the foul line.

Kayla Hayes had 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Lady Vikings (6-11, 5-7). Kalli Hunt pulled down 12 rebounds and Malenna Davis added nine points.

“Hayes had a pretty good game and Davis is starting to do better offensively and finding some confidence in her shot,” said Bryant.

Kiersten McGraw scored 20, Mychael Harding 12 and Shawna Buckley 10 for New Boston.

Hayes scored six points, Hunt had four and Malenna Davis hit a 3-pointer as the Lady Vikings trailed 32-16 at the half.

Hayes and Davis scored six points each in the third quarter and Symmes Valley cut the deficit to 46-32.

The Lady Vikings outscored New Boston 12-9 in the fourth quarter as Hayes got six more points, but the comeback bid fell well short due to the early deficit.

“We battled for the remaining three quarters. I thought my kids hung tough all night long. This was our fifth game in eight days including last night and tonight,” said Bryant.

“These kids could have folded up their tents and went home at the end of the first quarter, but they battled back the rest of the game.”

Symmes Valley hosts Beaver Eastern at noon on Saturday

win.

Symmes Valley 2 14 16 12 = 44

New Boston 18 14 14 9 = 55

SYMMES VALLEY (6-11, 5-7): Malenna Davis 3 1 0-0 9, Hannah Maynard 0 0 0-0 0, Kayla Hayes 8 0 2-9 18, Kalli Hunt 3 0 1-4 7, Megan Johnson 1 0 2-4 4, Taylor Michael 0 0 0-0 0, Ada Humphrey 2 0 2-2 6. Totals: 18-68 7-19 44. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 41 (Hunt 12, Hayes 10). Assists: 5 (Davis 2). Steals: 7 (Johnson 2). Turnovers: 16.

NEW BOSTON (NA): Mychael Harding 2 2 2-2 12, Christian Lykins 1 2 0-2 8, Shawna Buckley 3 1 1-2 10, Courtney DeLotell 2 0 1-4 5, Miranda Litz 0 0 0-0 0, Emily Waugh 0 0 0-0 0, Danielle Yantis 0 0 0-0 0, Kiersten McGraw 8 0 4-7 20. Totals: 16 5 8-17 55. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Harding.