Lions close out regular season with win

     WEST UNION - The Fairfield Lions overcame the 3-point threat of the West Union Dragons Saturday night, and in the process, won their final regular season game with a 67-52 victory in Southern Hills League play.

     FHS (7-6, 10-9) scored at least 16 points in each quarter, starting off the game with a 19-17 advantage after the opening eight minutes were played.

     The defense of the Lions came in full force in the second period as they held the Dragons to nine points, while netting 16 for a halftime lead of 35-26.

     In the third FHS, again, scored 16 points while holding the Dragons to 16 and in the final frame the Lions scored 16 points for the third straight frame, outscoring WUHS 16-15 in the fourth.

     The Dragons made a total of 13 3-pointers with Brewer netting five against the Lions. Richmond also sank five 3-pointers and Armstrong made two. Kramer made one 3-ball.

     "West Union shot the ball extremely well from the 3-point line," FHS head coach Matt Carson said. "We thought about going man-to-man after they started the game and hit a few shots, but we are best at our zone, so we stuck with that and put some runs together and that paid off."

     The Lions were led in scoring by junior Chris Cox with 23 points, as the junior was 9 of 15 from the field for 60 percent, including one 3-pointer. Cox also had eight rebounds, one steal and two assists. Cox was 5 of 7 from the free-throw line.

     Alex Henson and Cody Ferrell each had 15 points. Henson was 4 of 6 from the field and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line. Henson compiled three rebounds and two assists.

     Ferrell was 6 of 9 from the field and a perfect 3 of 3 from the foul line. Ferell also had seven rebounds, one steal and one block.

     "Cody (Tolle) had an inspired game," Carson said. "He has been working hard this past month in practice and it is starting to pay off."

     Ian Adams netted five points, followed by Nick Sowders with four. Cameron Rolark finished with three and Josh Honeycutt scored two points.

     Defensively Adams had seven rebounds, Rolark had two blocked shots and Cody Tolle, Michael Carson and Brandon Carmean each had one rebound.

     The Lions gained a total of 34 rebounds (14 offensive) and shot overall 25 of 54 for 46 percent. They were 23 of 41 from inside the arc.

     FHS had eight turnovers against the Dragons.

     "If we can stay in 8-14 range in turnovers we will be successful," Carson said. "The kids are working hard and getting better, and I am proud of them for gutting it out."

     The win put the Lions at 10-9 overall.

BOX SCORE

SCORE BY QUARTERS

FHS - 19 16 16 16 - 67

WUHS - 17 9 11 15 - 52

INDIVIDUAL STATS

FHS (67)

Sowders 2 4, Adams 1 (1) 5, Rolark 1 1-2 3, Ferrell 6 3-3 15, Henson 3 (1) 6-7 15, Cox 9 5-7 23, Honeycutt 1 2. TOTALS: 23 (2) 15-23 67.

WUHS (52)

Brewer 1 (5) 1, Beasley 2 2-4 6, Richmond 0 (5) 15, Armstrong 0 (2) 6, Shivener 2 1-1 5, Kramer 0 (1) 3. TOTALS: 5 (13) 3-5 52.