Dragons Turn Away Tigers For Key OVC Win

Fairland's Gabe Polcyn looks to find an open man. (Photo by Josh Wilson)

Fairland's Brody Buchanan tries put up a shot in heavy traffic. (Photo by Josh Wilson)

Ironton's Braden Schreck tries to drive down the lane. (Photo by Josh Wilson)

PROCTORVILLE — Yes, Ironton tried to make a run late by getting within 11 points, but the Fairland Dragons made 10-of-14 free throws to salt it away.

But no, that wasn’t where the game was decided.

Ironton head coach Chris Barnes said the game was actually decided in the final 2:55 of the first half of Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference game won by the Dragons 65-51.

“I know the game was decided in the last two minutes of the first half when we gave up six straight points and added up to a 10-point lead,” said the Fighting Tigers head coach.

Barnes was referring to Braden Schreck hitting a layup that tied the game at 22-all and then a 12-2 run that followed.

Brody Buchanan converted a 3-point play with 2:55 left to give Fairland the lead for good at 25-22.

Markel Cotton’s layup cut the deficit to 25-24 when Fairland ran off 9 straight points as Cliff Freansen hit a 3-pointer, Buchanan made a layup and 4 free throws and it was 34-24 at the break.

Ironton (3-3, 2-1) led 3 times in the first quarter before Fairland (8-1, 5-0) went up 16-12 after a putback by Gabe Polcyn.

Bryce Markins hit a 3-pointer for Ironton to make it 16-15 at the buzzer.

Schreck made 2 foul shots to start the second quarter that gave Ironton its last lead at 17-16.

Fransen and Keegan Smith made layups for a 20-17 lead. Schreck sank 2 foul shots and Tyler Roach one to tie the game at 20-20.

Buchanan’s 17-footer put Fairland ahead only to have Schreck score to tie the game and set up the Dragons run to end the half.

A trifecta by Schreck and a layup by Maddix Markel cut the deficit to 41-23. A free throw by Buchanan and a 3-pointer by Fransen at the buzzer opened up a 47-35 lead to end the quarter.

A 3-pointer by Smith gave Fairland its biggest lead of the game at 57-37 before Ironton got a 3-pointer from Schreck to cut the deficit to 62-51 with 1:26 left.

But Ironton didn’t have enough time to make a run and the Dragons got a free throw from Polcyn and 2 from Fransen to seal the win.

Buchanan had a game-high 31 points to go with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals to lead the Dragons.

Fransen had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Smith added 11.

Schreck led Ironton with 29 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. No other Ironton player reached double figures.

“I think we’ve got guys put in  positions that they’re not used to being in,” said Barnes. “It’s not a lack of effort, it’s just stepping up and playing roles they’ve never had to play before. That’s led to our inconsistency which is a key thing we’re missing.”

Ironton 15 9 11 16 = 51

Fairland 16 18 13 18 = 65

IRONTON (3-3, 2-1): Ashton Layne 3-5 0-0 1-1 7, Bryce Markins 0-0 1-4 1-3 4, Markel Cotton 2-6 0-2 1-3 5, Tyler Roach 0-2 0-2 1-2 1, Judah Barnes 0-1 0-0 0-0 0, Carson Freeman 0-0 1-2 0-0 3, Maddix Markel 1-2 0-0 0-0 2, Kayden Edwards 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Brycen Mullins 0-1 0-1 0-0 0, Braden Schreck 5-7 5-9 4-7 29. Totals: 18-46 8-16 51. 3-pt goals: 7-22. Rebounds: 4-O, 15-D = 19 (Schreck 4, Cotton 3, Markell 3, Barnes 3). Assists: 8 (Schreck 3, Freeman 2). Steals: 3 (Markel, Roach, Edwards). Blocks: 3 (Layne 3). Turnovers: 6. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Cotton.

FAIRLAND (8-1, 5-0): Gabe Polcyn 3-3 0-0 1-1 7, Trevor Lochow 0-1 1-3 0-0 3, Jeremiah Fizer 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Cliff Fransen 1-2 3-4 2-4 13, Keegan Smith 1-2 3-6 0-0 11, Brody Buchanan 7-13 0-3 17-19 31. Totals: 19-37 20-25 65. 3-pt goals: 12-22. Rebounds: O-4, D-25 = 29 (Fransen 10, Buchanan 5). Assists: 11 (Buchanan 4, Polcyn 3). Steals: 3 (Buchanan 3). Blocks: 3. Turnovers: 9. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.