A few years ago, Ironton came to Chillicothe, trailed by 23 points and found a way to win the game at Hatton Gym.

Tuesday night along the Ohio River at Conley Arena, the Cavs turned their own version of the trick for a 70-64 victory over the Tigers.

Down 45-29 midway through the third quarter, it was looking like a long bus ride back to Chillicothe for Gary Kellough’s Cavaliers.

Then came the pressure defense and a string of buckets to close the gap to 47-41 through three.

The improbable was showing possibility.

The Cavs reeled off three straight baskets and Zach Johnson gave Chillicothe its first lead at 48-47 less than 60 seconds into the final period.

Chillicothe used a 10-2 run to close the third and carried that momentum down the stretch for their 13th win on the season.

The Fighting Tigers had jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the first period and appeared to have the game in hand, but in two trips down the floor, two Ironton starters went down with leg
injuries. First, guard Dion Brown followed by 6’6” center Trey
Fletcher.

With two Tigers down, guard Zac Carter put the team on his back to the tune of 41 points. Carter sliced and diced his way to the hoop for 18 first half points.

The Cavs had fallen behind 22-9 but cut the lead to eight before the half on a three-pointer by Aaron Elliott.

What effort the Cavs used to close the gap by intermission was wasted by Carter to start the second half. The junior hit the first three shots of the third to extend the Tigers’ lead to 37-23.

The Cavs then switched up defenses, putting pressure on the Tigers. The pressure led to eight turnovers and the necessary points to keep the Cavs’ hopes alive.

Aaron Elliott lit the Tigers for 25 points and tied the game at 55 with 4:17 remaining. A Marcus Dunn basket gave the Cavs a 57-56 lead, which they wouldn’t relinquish.Zach Johnson finished with 19 points and MaLik London had a double-double with 15 points and 12 blocks… he also had 5 blocked shots.

The Cavs are 13-6 heading into a second place showdown at Warren Friday night.

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