Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

When in Rome, do as the Romans.

Knowing that Ironton was a good rebounding team, the South Point Lady Pointers knew they had to win the battle of the boards.

The Lady Pointers did just that as they pulled away to a 44-35 win over the Lady Fighting Tigers Monday.

South Point (2-1) held a 37-26 rebounding advantage and limited Ironton to only seven offensive boards.

“I knew coming in they were a strong rebounding team and that was one of our keys to outrebound them. And we have improved rebounding,” said South Point coach Dave Adams.

“I thought we did a really good job tonight. That zone kind of kept them out. They only had one person in the lane really who was a rebounding threat.”

Haley Rawlins had 11 points and 9 rebounds and Brett Justice finished with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Lexie Barrier led Ironton with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals. Macy Wise grabbed 9 rebounds.

Ironton (2-3) was a dismal 12-of-43 from the field for 28 percent and just 2-of-14 from the 3-point line.

“Their size was a problem for us. They were bigger and we didn’t get many second shots,” said Ironton coach Doug Graham. “And we just didn’t shoot the ball well. We couldn’t throw it in the ocean.”

South Point led 9-6 at the end of the first quarter, but Ironton rallied to tie the game at 11 on a 3-pointer by Taylor Hannan with 4:51 left in the half.

A baseline shot by Jordan Hannan got Ironton even at 13 and a layup by Alyssa Lewis with 1:26 on the clock gave the Lady Tigers an 18-16 lead.

Rawlins hit two foul shots with 22 seconds left and it was 18-18 at the break.

“We had that little spurt in the second quarter where we turned the ball over. It seemed like we had three or four in a row and we weren’t even getting a shot,” said Adams. “We’re rolling and then we start turning the ball over.”

Two foul shots by Barrier put Ironton up 24-23 with 4:38 left in the third quarter, but a 12-footer by Justice at the 3:57 mark gave South Point the lead for good.

The Lady Pointers went on an 8-0 run to close the quarter and it was 31-24.

Barrier had a putback and four free throws to start the fourth quarter and Ironton trailed 31-30.

Rawlins hit a clutch 3-pointer but Barrier’s 15-footer cut the deficit to 34-32 with 5:04 left.

Rawlins then made a foul shot and hit a follow up shot as South Point took a 37-32 lead with 3:57 to go.

Barrier’s trifecta at the 1:42 mark sliced the margin to 39-35, but Brooklyn Badget made a layup and Abbey Winkler converted 3-of-5 free throws over the final 52 seconds to secure the win.

South Point 11 7 13 13 = 44

Ironton 6 12 6 11 = 35

SOUTH POINT (2-1): Haley Rawlins 1 2 3-4 11, Brooklyn Badgett 1 0 2-2 4, Brett Justice 3 1 1-3 10, Aundrea Bradburn 2 0 2-7 6, Abbey Winkler 1 1 3-5 8, Bonnie Hileman 1 0 0-2 2, Laken Adams 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-39 11-23 44. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 5-10. Rebounds: 10-27=37 (Justice 9, Rawlins 9). Teams rebounds: 5. Assists: 3 (Winkler 2). Steals: 4 (Winkler 2). Turnovers: 20.

IRONTON (2-3): Jordan Hannan 2 0 0-0 4, Taylor Hannan 0 1 0-4 3, Lexie Barrier 3 1 9-10 18, Macy Wise 0 0 0-0 0, Cheyenne Scott 1 0 0-2 2, Karlie Rase 0 0 0-0 0, Alyssa Lewis 3 0 0-0 6, team 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 12-43 9-16 35. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 2-14. Rebounds: 7-19-26 (Wise 9, Barrier 6). Assists: 4. Steals: 10 (Barrier 6). Turnovers: 18.