McARTHUR, Ohio — The Meigs girls basketball team hung around for 13 minutes, but the Lady Marauders couldn’t play the role of spoiler Thursday night during a 70-46 setback to host Vinton County in a Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division matchup.

The visiting Lady Marauders (3-17, 2-8 TVC Ohio) were not only trying to snap an eight-game losing skid, but were also the only thing standing between the Lady Vikings (12-8, 9-1) and a share of this winter’s league title.

Both teams found themselves deadlocked at 12 after one period of play and were again tied at 23-all with just over three minutes left in the half, but the hosts countered with a 12-1 surge over the final 2:55 to take a 35-24 lead into the intermission.

Vinton County, which shared the TVC Ohio crown with Athens, followed with a 19-8 run in the third canto for a 54-32 lead headed into the finale. The Lady Vikings led by as many as 31 points in the contest (60-29) and closed regulation on a 16-14 spurt to secure the 24-point decision.

VCHS also claimed a season sweep of the Lady Marauders after posting a 74-44 victory at Larry R. Morrison Gymnasium back on Jan. 23. The Lady Vikings, who trailed 23-21 midway through the second quarter, also picked up their sixth straight triumph.

The Lady Marauders connected on 19-of-48 field goal attempts overall for 40 percent, including a 3-of-12 effort from three-point range for 25 percent.

Hannah Cremeans led the guests with a double-double effort of 15 points and 13 rebounds, both of which were game-highs. Brook Andrus was next with 12 points, followed by Morgan Russell with eight markers. Tess Phelps and Kelsey Hudson both contributed four points each, while Dani Cullums rounded out the scoring with three markers.

The Lady Vikings made 25-of-70 shot attempts for 36 percent, including a 4-of-20 effort from behind the arc for 20 percent. Megan Dixon paced VCHS with 12 points, followed by Xan Hale and Caitlyn Owings with 11 markers each.

Meigs was outrebounded by a 43-33 overall margin and also committed 26 turnovers in the setback, compared to 18 giveaways by the hosts. MHS also made 5-of-14 free throw attempts for 36 percent, while Vinton County sank 16-of-22 charity tosees for 73 percent.

The Lady Marauders now turn their attention to the Division III postseason at Jackson High School, as Meigs will face defending state runner-up Oak Hill on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m.

Vinton County 70, Meigs 46

M 12-12-8-14 — 46

VC 12-23-19-16 — 70

MEIGS (3-17, 2-8 TVC Ohio): Dani Cullums 0 3-8 3, Tess Phelps 2 0-0 4, Hannah Cremeans 7 0-0 15, Brook Andrus 5 0-0 12, Kelsey Hudson 2 0-4 4, Morgan Russell 3 2-2 8. TOTALS: 19 5-14 46. Three-point goals: 3 (Andrus 2, Cremeans). Field Goals: 19-48 (.396). Rebounds: 33 (Cremeans 13). Turnovers: 26.

VINTON COUNTY (12-8, 9-1 TVC Ohio): Xan Hale 4 2-2 11, Caitlyn Owings 5 1-2 11, Keshia Griffith 2 1-1 5, Maranda Hale 2 2-2 6, Jamee Park 1 0-0 2, Regenia Schrader 1 0-0 2, Emily Zinn 1 0-0 2, Josie Ward 1 3-4 6, Megan Dixon 5 0-0 12, Alex Speakman 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Griffith 0 4-4 4, Johnna Remy 3 3-5 9. TOTALS: 25 16-22 70. Three-point goals: 4 (Dixon 2, X. Hale, Ward). Field Goals: 25-70 (.357). Rebounds: 43 (Owings 10). Turnovers: 18.