Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Anna Darby and Kaci Russell work well together, and that worked again for the Rock Hill Redwomen on Thursday.

With the game tied and four seconds on the clock, Russell made the perfect pass to Darby who scored at the buzzer to give the Redwomen a 64-62 Ohio Valley Conference win.

“We keep finding ways to win,” said Rock Hill coach Greg Damron. “Our big three (Darby, Russell, Sam Dillon) did it again. In fact, it was a good team effort.”

Darby racked up 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Redwomen (11-6, 6-5). Russell scored 20 points to go with nine rebounds and five steals.

Kaylee Beals scored a game-high 24 points for Coal Grove. Destiny Dolen had 16 points and Emily Compliment added 12 points.

“That was a hard-fought win. Coal Grove has improved. They played us tough,” said Damron.

Rock Hill went up 12-8 in the first quarter as Darby and Russell scored four points each. Dolen had six for Coal Grove.

The Redwomen led just 27-26 at the half as they converted 11-of-18 free throws in the second quarter. Lauren Crum, Dolen, Beals and Compliment scored four points each.

Each team scored 21 points in the third quarter and it was 48-47. Darby scored six points and Dillon got five or her nine points. Beals scored 13 points and Compliment added seven for the Lady Hornets.

Darby had nine points including the game-winner in the fourth quarter and Russell scored seven.

Coal Grove (6-11, 3-9) got six points from Dolen but made just 6-of-12 free throws.

“We had our chance to win but it didn’t happen,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach. “We didn’t rebound well and we missed some late free throws that hurt us.”

On Monday, Coal Grove hosts Chesapeake and Rock Hill is at Portsmouth in league games.

Rock Hill 12 15 21 18 = 64

Coal Grove 8 18 21 14 = 62

ROCK HILL (11-6, 6-5): Taylor Hall 1 0 0-0 2, Anna Darby 9 0 5-14 23, Sami Dillon 2 1 2-2 9, Jill Hairston 1 0 2-2 4, Kaci Russell 6 1 5-9 20, Caitlyn Meadows 0 0 0-0 0, Abbi Kline 1 0 0-0 2, Kyleigh Noel 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 24-69 14-27 64. 3-point goals: 2. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Hairston.

COAL GROVE (6-11, 3-9): Kaylee Beals 7 0 10-13 24, Emily Compliment 4 0 4-6 12, Kasey Murphy 1 0 0-0 2, Destiny Dolen 8 0 0-2 16, Lauren Crum 2 0 1-4 5, Baylee McKnight 1 0 1-2 3, Mattie Malone 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23-52 16-27 62. 3-point goals: 0. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Murphy.