WILLOW WOOD - On any other night, three out of four would be good.

But not on this night.

The Symmes Valley Vikings played well for three quarters, but the first quarter proved to be their downfall as they lost 67-59 to the Portsmouth Clay Panthers Friday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

Clay built a 22-4 lead after the first quarter and then held off a Viking comeback to maintain its SOC lead.

"We played well for three out of four quarters, but we just got down early and had to fight back the whole game," Vikings coach Alvin Carpenter said.

Kent Robinson scored 9 points in the first quarter as Clay took advantage of 11 Symmes Valley turnovers.

Kyle Meadows scored 6 points and Cory Burcham had 5 points as the Vikings cut the deficit to 38-23 at the half.

Justin Ferguson hit three 3-pointers in the third quarter and the defense limited the Panthers to 9 points and the Vikings were within 47-42.

The lead shrank to 47-45 to begin the fourth quarter, but Cam Thoroughman hit a jumper and the lead was 49-45. Thoroughman scored 11 points in the quarter and Clay converted 10 of 20 from the foul line including 6 of 8 by Ry\u00E5n Cucore as the Panthers began to pull away.

"They missed some free throws, but we were trading them one for none because we were missing the shot or turning the ball over," Carpenter said.

Thoroughman finished with 17 points, Cucore and Robinson 12 each, and Derek Webb 11 points for Clay (14-3, 10-1).

Ferguson had 12 points to lead the Vikings (8-9,5-6) while Michael White had 9 points - 8 in the fourth quarter _ and eight rebounds.

"I was really proud of the kids. We got down and could easily have folded our tents. It's been tough the last couple of weeks, but they stayed in there," Carpenter said.

Port. Clay2216920-67

Sym. Valley4191917-59

PORTSMOUTH CLAY (14-3, 10-1):

Cam Thoroughman 6 1 2-6 17, Chris Bihl 3 0 1-2 7, Mike Thacker 0 0 2-6 2, Justin Craft 2 0 2-2 6, Ryan Cucore 1 1 7-10 12, Kent Robinson 3 2 0-2 12, Derek Webb 5 0 1-1 11. Totals: 20

(4)

15-29

67. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.

SYMMES VALLEY (8-9, 5-6):

Craig Neal 0 3 0-0 9, Cory Burcham 1 1 2-3 7, Justin Ferguson 0 4 0-2 12, Kyle Meadows 3 0 2-4 8, Justin Holland 0 2 0-0 6, Matt Owens 1 0 0-1 2, John Wiseman 3 0 0-0 6, Michael White 4 0 1-1 9. Totals: 22-49

(10-23)

5-11

59. Fouls: 25. Fouled out: White, Burcham. Rebounds: 21 (White 8). Assists: 7 (Holland 4). Steals: 8 (Burcham 3). Turnovers: 23.