Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

ALEXANDER — Some days you get the bear, and some days the bear gets you.
Growl.
The bear certainly got the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers on Saturday night as they suffered their worst shooting performance of the season in a 50-27 loss to the Alexander Lady Spartans.
Ironton (9-4) was a meager 10-of-42 from the field for 23.8 percent and a dismal 4-of-18 at the foul line.
Alexander (11-2) was 19-of-53 from the floor for 36 percent and made 7-of-9 free throws.
Ironton missed its first 13 field goal attempts and Alexander went on a 12-0 run to begin the game. A 3-pointer by Rachel Richardson extended the lead to 16-1 and the Spartans were up 19-3 at the end of the quarter.
Lexie Arden made Ironton’s first field goal with 5:19 left in the half and it was 19-5.
The Lady Fighting Tigers trailed 19-7 in the second quarter and were down 24-9 at the half.
After getting a basket to start the second half and make it 24-11, Leah Richardson made a triple and Alexander was up 27-11. Ironton never got any closer.
The Lady Spartans biggest lead was 48-20 on another 3-pointer by Rachel Richardson with 3:47 to play.
Arden had eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and three blocks to lead Ironton. Lexi Wise added eight points, Sydney Webb six and Alyssa Lewis five.
Leah Richardson had 19 points with eight rebounds and six assists and sister Rachel Richardson had 11 points and seven rebounds. McKena Rice added 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Spartans.
Alexander has won seven straight since an overtime loss at Boyd County and is 6-0 at home.
Ironton hosts Charleston Catholic on Monday.
Ironton       3    6    11    7    =    27
Alexander    19    5    12    14    =    50
IRONTON (9-4): Lexi Wise 2 0 4-8 8, Riley Schreck 0 0 0-0 0, Sydney Webb 0 2 0-0 6, Alyssa Lewis 1 1 0-4 5, Lexie Arden 4 0 0-0 8, Taiya Hamlet 0 0 0-3 0, Haylee Stevens 0 0 0-0 0, Ellie Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Katie Boyer 0 0 0-0 0, Shay Cox 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10-42 4-18 27. 3-point goals 3-12. Rebounds: 30 (Arden 7). Assists: 4 (Arden 3). Steals: 9 (Arden 3, Webb 3). Turnovers: 10. Blocked shots: 4 (Arden 3). Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.
ALEXANDER (11-2): Jala Mace 1 0 1-2 3, Leah Richardson 6 1 4-5 19, McKena Rise 4 0 2-2 10, Rachel Richardson 1 3 0-0 11, Alexis Mohler 2 1 0-0 7, Lexi Whitney 0 0 0-0 0, Kristen Taylor 0 0 0-0 0, Marilyn Rankin 0 0 0-0 0, Sydnie Bolin 0 0 0-0 0, Makala Trout 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-53 7-9 50. 3-point goals: 5-22. Rebounds: 39 (Rice 11, L. Richardson 8, R. Richardson 7). Assists: 7 (L. Richardson 6). Steals: 4 (R. Richardson 2). Turnovers: 13. Blocked shots: 2 (Mace, Taylor). Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.