Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — The effort was there. The shooting was better. The results just didn’t quite reach the right level.

The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings’ made nine 3-point goals but fell just short in a 67-56 Southern Ohio Conference loss to the Portsmouth Notre Dame Lady Titans on Thursday.

“We played hard and just came up short,” said Lay Vikings’ coach Brandon Walker.

“We had a great effort and we just all have to keep believing that it will turn into good things for us down the road. I’ve got a locker room full of hard-working, gritty kids. I wouldn’t trade them for anyone.”

After shooting 25 percent from the field in almost every game this season, the Lady Vikings were 20 of 53 from the field and 9 of 23 from behind the 3-point arc.

“I can’t tell you the last time we had nine 3s in a game. We have worked hard this week on taking more game-like shots in practice We didn’t rebound well, but I thought we shot better,” said Walker.

Elly Fulks had a career-high 18 points including four 3-pointers and Breanna Brumfield scored 15 points on five 3-pointers and grabbed 7 rebounds for the Lady Vikings (1-7, 1-5).

Meranda Hayes added 13 points, 4 assists and 3 steals while Kaitlyn Payne had 10 points, 4 assists and 2 steals.

Brooke Pierron scored a game-high 31 points to lead the Lady Titans (4-2 3-1). Lexi Smith had 22 points in the win.

Pierron had 11 points and Smith 6 in the first quarter as Notre Dame took a 17-12 lead. Hayes had 5 points.

Fulks and Brumfield each hit a pair of triples in the second quarter but Smith scored 8 points and Molley Hoover 5 more as the Lady Titans lead 34-28 at the half.

Pierron scored 8 points in the third quarter to offset 6 points by Payne and Notre Dame extended its lead to 51-42.

Fulks scored 7 more points in the fourth quarter by Pierron had 8 points including 6 of 6 from the foul line.

Symmes Valley plays Lincoln County at 3 p.m. in the South Point Holiday Shootout on Saturday.

Sym. Valley 12 16 14 14 = 56

Notre Dame 17 17 17 16 = 67

SYMMES VALLEY (1-7, 1-5): Sierra Ross 0 0 0-2 0, Breanna Brumfield 0 5 0-2 15, Elly Fulks 3 4 0-0 18, Meranda Hayes 6 0 1-2 13, Kaitlyn Payne 2 0 6-9 10, Kelsey Massie 0 0 0-0 0, Maddie Scott 0 0 0-0 0, Jensyn Shepherd 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-53 6-15 56. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 9-23. Rebounds: 9-O, 10-D = 19 (Brumfield 7, Hayes 4, Payne 4). Assists: 20 (Brumfield 7, Hayes 4, Payne 4). Steals: 7 (Hayes 3, Payne 2). Turnoves: 17.

PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (4-2, 3-1): Molly Hoover 3 0 1-2 7, Maggie Hover 0 0 0-6, Lauren Edwards 0 0 0-0 0, Brooke Pierron 9 1 10-10 31, Rogen Kayser 3 0 1-2 7, Lexi Smith 10 0 2-5 22. Totals: 25 1 14-26 67. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.