IRONTON — Symmes Valley’s Ethan Smith and Bronx Carpenter combined for 48 points, and the Vikings’ defense took control of the game in the second period to earn a 71-53 win over the Saint Joseph Flyers on Tuesday night.

Smith dropped a game-high 27 points to lead the Vikings. Smith also finished with 7 rebounds and 6 steals on the night. Carpenter scored 20 points — including six 3-pointers — and a team-high 8 rebounds to aid in the win.

Vikings coach Alvin Carpenter was elated to get a big win inside the friendly confines of the Flyer Dome.

“I always tell our kids we get the best from everyone. But it doesn’t matter what the records are, it’s always a dogfight when we play here,” said Carpenter. “Ed does a very good job and they’re physical.”

Saint Joseph (9-7) gave the Vikings fits in the opening period, as Aiden Deborde aided the Flyers with 13 points — including 3 bombs from beyond the arc — to help the Flyers storm out to a 20-17 lead.

Wesley Neal powered in 2 points from inside to close out the period and give the Flyers a 22-17 lead.

Neal went on to lead the Flyers in scoring, registering a double-double with 21 points and 11 boards.

The Vikings (12-5) were able to shake off the early surge by Saint Joseph and put the clamps down on the offense during the second, allowing just 2 field goals and 2 free throws. The Vikings were also able to limit second chances, allowing the Flyers just 2 offensive rebounds.

On the offensive end, the Vikings got 3-point goals from Smith, Carpenter, and Asher Maynard to help spark Symmes Valley and take a 34-28 lead at the break.

Symmes Valley also used a 12-2 run the first 4 minutes of the second to take control of the game. Smith started the run with a triple and a steal, drive, and layup. Then Will Jones capped off the run with a score in the paint to give Symmes Valley a 28-24 lead at the 3:54 mark of the second.

“We got some young kids out there and sometimes we lose our focus from one quarter to the next, but we’re playing good ball right now,” said Carpenter. “But the young kids are all playing really well.”

After both teams played even in the third, the Vikings were able to finally pull away in the final frame.

Carpenter nailed his sixth and final 3-pointer during the period and Smith added 8 more points to his total. Maynard scored 4 points and Noah Hutchison came off the bench a hit a 3-pointer to close out the scoring for the Vikings.

The Vikings will be on the road Wednesday in a key SOC 2 game against the Northwest Mohawks. Saint Joseph will look to rebound on Thursday night when they host Ross County Christian.

Sym. Valley 17 17 14 23 = 71

St. Joseph 22 6 14 11 = 53

SYMMES VALLEY (12-5): Gradee Holland 0 0 0-0 0, Logan Simpkins 1 0 2-2 4, Ethan Smith 10 2 6-12 28, Tanner Corn 2 0 0-0 4, Andy Strow 0 0 0-0 0, Bronx Carpenter 7 6 0-0 20, Noah Hutchison 1 1 0-0 3, Will Jones 2 0 0-0 4, Key Roberts 0 0 0-0 0, Asher Maynard 3 1 1-2 8. Totals: 26 10 9-16 71. Rebounds: O-13, D-20 = 33 (Carpenter 8, Smith 7, Simpkins 5). Assists: 13 (Carpenter 4, Simpkins 3, Maynard 2, Jones 2). Steals: 15 (Smith 6, Jones 3, Holland 3). Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

ST. JOSEPH (9-7): Aiden Deborde 5 3 0-0 13, Landon Rowe 3 0 0-0 6, Beckham Waginger 0 0 0-0 0, Kai Clark 0 0 0-0 0, Wesley Neal 7 1 6-6 21, Zane Dressel 3 1 2-2 9, Carson Willis 2 0 0-0 4, Carter Johnson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 5 8-8 53. Rebounds: O-6, D-16 = 22 (Neal 11, Deborde 4, Johnson 3). Assists: 13 (Rowe 7, Neal 3). Steals: 11 (Dressel 4, Neal 2, Rowe 2, Waginger 2). Turnovers: 17. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: Waginger (4th).