By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

West St. John fell short of its second district win this season at East Iberville on Friday night, as the Tigers knocked off the Rams 45-40 in a District 9-1A game.

East Iberville is tied for second place in district play with White Castle.

The loss also ensures a last place finish for the Lady Rams, who have now lost four straight games.

“We aren’t playing with the same intensity that we were earlier in the season,” said Rams coach Lester Smith. “We aren’t putting a whole game together. You’ll see us play a good first half here, or finish out well in another game, but we aren’t playing for four good quarters.

“We’ve talked about it. We can’t have stretches like we’re having where we just go through the motions.”

Kyla Morris led West St. John (7-9, 1-6) with 18 points.

Renea Julian scored 10.Ambria Major scored seven.

Already playing without injured guard Jailyn Gordon, WSJ suffered another blow when guard Shantell Pablo was ejected for a shoving match with an East Iberville player.

“We can’t afford to lose her,” said Smith. “She’s one of our better scorers.”

The teams were tied at 31 entering the fourth quarter.

But foul trouble plagued the Rams, and the Tigers (9-11, 3-3) were able to get to the line enough in the final period to distance themselves in the final minutes.

East Iberville made 11 of 15 free throws in the second half.

The Tigers led 24-20 at halftime, after outscoring WSJ 16 to 12 in the second quarter.

Forward Dionickka Calloway led East Iberville with 19 points.