PROCTORVILLE – It all comes down to one night.

Tuesday, February 05, 2002

PROCTORVILLE – It all comes down to one night.

The Rock Hill Redwomen rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Fairland Lady Dragons 43-41 Monday to move into a first place tie in the Ohio Valley Conference with Chesapeake.

Rock Hill, 15-4 overall and 6-1 in the OVC, can clinch at least a share of the title with a win Thursday at home against South Point. Chesapeake is at home Thursday and needs a win over Fairland to earn a piece of the crown.

"We had some people step up for us and grit it out. The girls have put so much time and effort into this season, so it’s nice to see it paying off. But we still have South Point Thursday and it won’t be easy. We haven’t wrapped up anything yet," Redwomen coach Amy Hughes said.

Fairland saw its title hopes disappear with the loss. The Lady Dragons are now 11-6 and 4-3 in the conference. Coach Nathan Speed said turnovers and poor foul shooting – just 3 of 8 the fourth quarter – hurt his team’s chances.

"Foul shooting has hurt us all year and that was one of my concerns coming into this game. We did everything else well," said Speed. "They turn it over 20 times and we turn it over 13, and Jordan (Edwards) is the only one in double figures. It just got close at the end and we had some untimely turnovers."

Edwards had 15 points and four steals for the Redwomen. Rachel Hartwig added eight points and 11 rebounds while Marie Bamer grabbed eight rebounds and Julie Mootz six.

Jeana Diamond had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead Fairland. Jennifer Jones scored 12 points, Brooke Godby had six rebounds, and Brooke Fisher had six assists and three steals.

Fairland went ahead 13-6 the first quarter, but Rock Hill closed to within 22-18 at the half. Diamond scored seven of Fairland’s nine points in the quarter.

The Lady Dragons lead was 34-31 after three quarters before Edwards sank one of two free throws to give Rock Hill a 43-41 lead with seconds remaining. Fairland had two final chances but failed to connect as time ran out.

"We just played pretty good defense," said Hughes. "The second half we gave up only 19 points, and that’s not bad against a team the caliber of Fairland. And (Hartwig) got eight points and 11 rebounds, and that’s big, plus Marie Bamer was everywhere getting a rebound."

In the reserve game, Rock Hill won 42-18 as Monica Bamer scored 14 points.

Rock Hill 6 12 13 12 – 43

Fairland 13 9 12 7 – 41

ROCK HILL (15-4, 6-1): Courtney Doughman 4 0 0-0 8, Marie Bamer 2 0 0-0 4, Miranda Edwards 3 0 0-0 6, Julie Mootz 1 0 0-0 2, Jordan Edwards 5 1 2-4 15, Rachel Hartwig 4 0 0-0 8. Totals: 19-40 (1-12) 2-6 43. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 31 (Hartwig 11, Bamer 8, Mootz 6). Steals: 11 (Doughman 4, J. Edwards 4, M. Edwards 3). Assists: 6 (M. Edwards 4).

FAIRLAND (11-6, 4-3): Brooke Godby 0 0 0-0 0, Megan Fisher 2 0 2-6 6, Allison McConnell 0 0 0-0 0, Jennifer Jones 5 0 2-5 12, Kristen Brumfield 0 0 0-0 0, Brooke Fisher 3 0 0-0 6, Jeana Diamond 6 1 2-3 17. Totals: 16 1 6-14 41. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 8-18=26 (Diamond 12, Godby 5). Assists: 13 (B. Fisher 6). Steals: 9 (B. Fisher 3, M. Fisher 3). Blocked shots: 3 (Diamond 3). Turnovers: 13. Charges taken: 1 (B. Fisher).