IRONTON, Ohio — After posting a three-game winning streak, the Gallia Academy boys basketball team has now dropped two straight decisions following a 65-36 setback Tuesday night to host Ironton in a non-conference matchup in Lawrence County.

The visiting Blue Devils (4-7) never led in the contest, as the Fighting Tigers (8-2) stormed out to an early 6-0 lead en route to a 12-7 first quarter advantage. GAHS pulled to within 8-7 after back-to-back trifectas from Cody Call and Justin Bailey, but the Blue Devils never came closer the rest of the way.

IHS — which closed the opening period with a 4-0 run — kept that momentum going into the second period, as the hosts hit 10-of-14 field goals during a 26-9 charge to secure a comfortable 38-16 cushion at the break.

Ironton extended its halftime lead out to 54-23 following a 16-7 third quarter run, and the hosts ultimately led by as many as 33 points (63-30) with 2:34 left in regulation. GAHS closed the game with a 6-2 run to wrap up the 29-point outcome.

Gallia Academy connected on 13-of-41 field goal attempts for 32 percent, including a 5-of-15 effort from three-point range for 33 percent. The guests were outrebounded by a 26-24 margin and also netted 5-of-10 free throw attempts for 50 percent.

Justin Bailey led the Blue Devils with 10 points, followed by Aaron Jackson with eight points and the duo of Cody Call and Wes Jarrell with five markers apiece. Seth Atkins and Alex White each contributed three points, while Jimmy Clagg rounded out the scoring with two markers.

GAHS had 22 turnovers in the setback, compared to only 15 by the hosts. Bailey, Call and Clagg each hauled in four rebounds, while Reid Eastman had a team-high three assists.

The Fighting Tigers made 27-of-45 field goal attempts for 60 percent, including a 4-of-12 effort from three-point territory for 33 percent. IHS was also 7-of-11 at the charity stripe for 64 percent.

Trey Fletcher paced Ironton with a game-high 21 points, followed by Zac Carter with 10 points and Josh Glover with eight markers. The hosts had 10 different players score in the triumph.