Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The Fairland Dragons wanted to get one thing and one thing only: a win.

With a shaky history at Rock Hill, the Dragons battled their way past the Redmen 54-41 on Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We never play well at Rock Hill, so we’re happy to get out of there with a win,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed.

“Rock Hill is much improved. They’re physical and they play hard.”

Fairland (4-0, 2-0) stayed unbeaten as three different players reach double figures led by Luke Thomas with 15 points including four 3-pointers.

Kollin Van Horn had a big game with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Chance Short added 10 points and 4 assists. Nathan Campbell finished with 7 rebounds and 4 steals.

Rock Hill (2-3, 0-2) was led by Austin Collins with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Trystan Matney had 8 rebounds.

Fairland jumped out to a 17-4 lead, but Matney was 4 of 5 at the foul line in the second quarter as Rock Hill closed the gap to 27-18 at the break. Van Horn scored 8 of Fairland’s 10 points in the quarter.

The game was tight in the third quarter when Thomas drained three straight 3-point goals and the Dragons opened up a 41-26 lead.

Collins scored 6 points in the fourth quarter before fouling out as Rock Hill tried to mount a comeback, but Short was 4 of 5 from the line and Campbell 2 of 2 at the line down the stretch to seal the win.

On Tuesday, Fairland plays Africentric at 4 p.m. in the Ironton Classic. Rock Hill will host Oak Hill on Saturday, Dec. 27.

Fairland 17 10 14 13 = 54

Rock Hill 4 14 8 15 = 41

FAIRLAND (4-0, 2-0): Chance Short 2 0 6-8 10, Gunner Short 0 0 0-0 0, Isaiah Howell 4 0 0-0 8, Nathan Campbell 2 0 2-2 6, Luke Thomas 1 4 1-1 15, Darius Stapleton 0 0 0-0 0, Hayden James 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Campbell 1 0 1-3 3, Kollin Van Horn 5 0 2-2 12. Totals: 19-56 12-16 54. 3-point goals: 4-16. Rebounds: 32 (Van Horn 10, N. Campbell 7). Assists: 11 (C. Shorts 4). Steals: 13 (N. Campbell 4, Howell 4). Turnovers: 12. Blocked shots: 6 (Van Horn 5, Stapleton 1). Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

ROCK HILL (2-3, 0-2): Alex Nance 1 0 0-0 2, Nathan Turvey 0 2 0-1 6, Austin Collins 4 0 5-6 13, Jake Falls 3 0 0-0 6, Brady Knipp 1 0 0-0 2, Tanner Martin 1 0 0-0 2, Trystan Matney 1 0 4-5 6, Austin Barcus 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 15-48 9-12 41. 3-point goals: 2-10. Rebounds: 25 (Matney 8, Collins 6). Assists: 5. Steals: 2. Turnovers: 22. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Collins (4th).