L-B downs Smithville 56-34 at state

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Caite Craft led a balanced Findlay Liberty-Benton attack with 23 points as the Eagles defeated Smithville 56-34 in a Division III semifinal Thursday at the Ohio girls basketball tournament.

Craft hit six of nine 3-pointers as Liberty-Benton (26-0) hit seven from beyond the arc to give it 229 for the season, more that any other girls team in the state.

Amanda Hyde, an Associated Press first team All-Ohio selection, had 19 points and Amber Peterson added 11 for the Eagles, who play Middletown Madison (27-0) for the title Saturday at 10:45 a.m. Neither school has won a championship.

Jenna Pew, also a first-team selection, led Smithville (25-2) with 18 points. Hyde and Craft were too much for Pew to overcome in a freewheeling first half. They had 13 points apiece to counter
Pew's 10 as the Eagles took a 31-20 lead.

Mallot leads Middletown Madison 50-43 over Ironton

Ally Mallot and Lindsay Hoskins had 22 of their combined 30 points in the first half to lead Middletown Madison to a 50-43 win over Ironton in a Division III semifinal on Thursday.

Mallot, an Associated Press All-Ohio selection, finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Hoskins, committed to Lehigh next season, added 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Mohawks (27-0) are in their state tournament debut and will play in the championship game Saturday against Liberty-Benton.

Nikki Elswick had 14 points and Lorna Ceaser 11 for Ironton (17-7).

Madison led 28-24 at the half behind Mallot's 12 points and Hoskins' 10.

Ironton never led but pulled to within 37-36 on a Elswick rebound bucket with 5:20 to play. Rachel Blevins responded with a basket and the Tigers never got closer.