Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — This is what happens in a rivalry.

Despite having only one win on the season, Rock Hill dealt Coal Grove’s Ohio Valley Conference title hopes a severe blow as the Redmen upset the Hornets 51-49 Friday night.

“I told them before the game we could be the big spoilers and they just had to go out and do it and they did,” said Rock Hill coach Dave Hopper.

“That was probably our best game. This is a big win for us. We’ve been playing well the past five games and we have been right there.”

The game was tied 13-13 at the end of the first quarter. Sean Paulus, D.J. Miller and Conor Markins all hit 3-points while Alex Nance scored four points and Aaron Dalton and Joey Stidham had triples for Rock Hill.

Austin Collins scored seven points in the second quarter as Rock Hill took a 28-25 halftime lead. Markins had six more points for the Hornets.

Five different players scored in the third quarter as Coal Grove rallied to tie the game at 39. Collins had 10 of Rock Hill’s 11 points in the quarter.

The Redmen were 6-of-9 from the foul line in the fourth quarter with Collins converting 5-of-6. Paulus scored seven points and Isaiah Gunther hit a 3-pointer as only two players scored for the Hornets in the quarter.

Collins finished with a game-high 23 points for the Redmen (2-13, 1-5).

Coal Grove (8-6, 4-3) had three players in double figures. Paulus and Miller scored 12 points each and Markins scored 10.

Rock Hill 13 15 11 12 = 51

Coal Grove 13 12 14 10 = 49

ROCK HILL (2-13, 1-5): Aaron Dalton 0 2 0-0 6, Alex Nance 3 0 0-1 6, Joey Stidham 1 2 0-0 8, Austin Collins 7 0 9-12 23, Jordan Hairston 2 0 1-4 5, Trystan Matney 1 0 0-0 2, Austin Barcus 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 14 4 11-19 51. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: Hairston.

COAL GROVE (8-6, 4-3): Jonathan Joseph 2 0 0-0 4, Sean Paulus 2 2 1-1 12, Isaiah Gunther 0 1 0-0 3, Brandon Adkins 1 0 0-0 2, 0 3 3-5 12, Joe Akers 2 0 0-0 4, Conor Markins 3 1 1-5 10, Austen Pleasants 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 10 7 8-14 49. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Joseph.