Circleville put four players in double figures and used a fourth quarter run on Monday to secure a 52-41 non-league win over host West Jefferson.
“It was nice to put four players into double digits,” Circleville coach Brian Bigam said. “We left some shots and free throws out there, but I was proud of how we continued to fight throughout the game after being down early and most of the first half.”
The Tigers entered the second half trailing 24-22 but started to turn their night around and finished the third quarter with a narrow 37-36 lead.
Maddie Blakeman drained a pair of three points during the third quarter for the Tigers and Morgan Blakeman chipped in five points.
The Tigers (2-1) checked the Roughriders (1-1) to just a pair of field goals in the fourth quarter as they ended the game on a 15-5 run.
“I thought we really clamped things down on defense in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, to earn the win,” Bigam said.
Brooke Mannon, who led all scorers with 17 points for the Roughriders, was held to just a three-pointer in the final eight minutes.
Faith Yancey helped power the Tigers in the final period with eight of her 10 points and Gabby McConnell drained a three-pointer.
Maddie Blakeman led all scorers with 15 points, Morgan Blakeman followed with 13, McConnell tallied 12 and Yancey scored all 10 of her points in the second half.
The Tigers drained 7 of 18 (38.9 percent) free throws compared to the Roughriders making 1 of 2 attempts.
Circleville resumes Mid-State League Buckeye Division play on Friday when it travels to Logan Elm.
Circleville 52,
West Jefferson 41
CIRCLEVILLE — Morgan Blakeman 5-0-13, Faith Yancey 5-0-10, Maddie Blakeman 5-2-15, Maddux Bigam 0-2-2, Gabby McConnell 4-3-12. Three-point goals — Morgan Blakeman (3), Maddie Blakeman (3) and Gabby McConnell. Total — 19 7-18 52.
WEST JEFFERSON — Zoey Brown 4-0-8, Abby Nulph 1-0-2, Brooke Mannon 6-1-17, Kassandra Simmons 2-0-4, Laney Lambert 5-0-10 Three-point goals — Brooke Mannon (4). Total — 18 1-2 41.
Quarter scores 1 2 3 4 F
Circleville 11 11 15 15 52
West Jeff 9 15 12 5 41