Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — The Fairland Dragons clinched at least a share of the Ohio Valley Conference title on Friday.

The Portsmouth Trojans didn’t make it easy for them.

In an overtime thriller, the Dragons rallied in the fourth quarter to tie the game and then pulled out a 75-72 win.

Fairland is now 15-4 overall and 11-0 in the league, a three-game lead over Chesapeake who has three league losses.

“We have shown a lot of growth since last year when most of these guys were just freshmen,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed. “We’ve worked a lot on keeping our focus in tough situations and we did that tonight.”

Ty Staten had a big all-around game for the Dragons with 18 points, six rebounds, six assists, four steals and he converted 10-of-11 free throws including 7-of-8 from the foul line in overtime.

Kollin Van Horn and Isaiah Howell dominated inside again as Van Horn had 23 points and 16 rebounds while Howell finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Luke Thomas added 19 points including 6-of-10 at the foul line as the Dragons converted 23-of-32 free throws.

Portsmouth (11-7, 7-4) had four players in double figures led by Ky’re Allison with 17 points and nine rebounds. Kendall Reynolds had 15 points and seven rebounds, Mike Malone 12 points and Ethan Leonard added 11 points.

Portsmouth led 12-8 after the first quarter and it was 32-28 at the half.

Reynolds scored seven points in the third quarter to offset eight points by Thomas as the Trojans built a 57-44 lead.

But Fairland went on a 13-0 run to begin the fourth quarter to tie the game and Van Horn and Howell scored six points each and Staten five more in the quarter.

Staten then made two foul shots with 22 seconds left in overtime to put Fairland up for good at 73-72.

On Tuesday, Fairland visits Gallipolis while Portsmouth entertains Rock Hill.

Portsmouth 12 20 25 7 8 = 72

Fairland 8 20 16 20 11 = 75

PORTSMOUTH (11-7, 7-4): Ethan Leonard 0-1 3-4 2-2 11, Ky’re Allison 6-15 0-4 5-7 17, Trent Rodbell 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, D.J. Eley 1-1 2-4 0-0 8, Mike Malone 1-1 3-5 1-1 12, Kendall Reynolds 6-14 1-3 0-2 15, Daniel Jordan 2-3 0-0 0-0 4, Reese Johnson 1-2 1-2 0-0 5. Totals: 27-47 8-12 72. 3-point goals: 10-22. Rebounds: 25 (Allison 9, Reynolds 7). Assists: 8 (Allison 2 Reynolds 2, Malone 2). Steals: 1. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Eley.

FAIRLAND (15-4, 11-0): Ty Staten 4-8 0-2 10-11 18, Isaiah Howell 5-9 0-2 3-5 13, Hunter Ashton 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Kollin Van Horn 9-17 0-0 5-6 23, Keedrick Cunningham 0-2 0-0 0-0 0, Luke Thomas 2-4 3-8 6-10 19, Hayden James 1-1 0-1 0-0 2. Totals: 24-54 24-32 75. 3-point goals: 3-13. Rebounds: 41 (Van Horn 16, Howell 14, Staten 6). Assists: 41 (Staten 6, Howell 3). Steals: 7 (Staten 4). Turnovers: 18. Fouls:. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.