SOUTH POINT - The defense was a force by forcing turnovers.

The South Point Pointers defense forced Portsmouth into committing 25 turnovers as they routed the Trojans 70-39 Tuesday.

"We put pressure on them and forced them into turnovers," Pointers coach Mark Lafon said. "The defense played well and that centered around Aaron Quinn. He forced guys to take quick shots or he'd get a steal. He was all over the place."

Seth Craft led the Pointers with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Jay Graham added 17 points while Quinn chipped in nine points.

Tyler Clifford had 12 points to pace Portsmouth (5-8).

"Seth Craft really stepped up tonight, and Jay Graham shot the ball well," Lafon said. "We had a lot of guys step up and score some points.

"Tyler Staton played with a lot of energy and was very active keeping the ball alive. He doesn't score a lot, but he's playing his role well."

South Point jumped in front 21-6 after the first quarter and extended the lead to 35-19 at the half as Craft scored 15 of his points in the first half.

The Pointers continued to pull away in the third third quarter as they opened up a 50-27 cushion. Graham had 10 of his points in the second half, including a pair of 3-pointers.

"We said at halftime that someone had to step up around (Craft) and Jay did," Lafon said.

South Point hosts Fairland next Tuesday.

Portsmouth613812-39

South Point21141520-70

PORTSMOUTH (5-8):

Jeff Pendleton 0 0 1-2 1, Justin Nelson 2 0 0-0 4, Justin Skaggs 1 0 1-2 3, Aaron Smith 1 0 0-0 2, Tyler Clifford 3 0 6-13 12, Michael Purdy 2 0 1-2 5, Andrew Newman 2 0 0-0 4, Derek Wales 2 0 2-2 6, Mike Hickman 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 13

0

13-23

39. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 28. Turnovers: 25.

SOUTH POINT (6-8):

Jay Graham 4 3 0-1 17, Seth Craft 6 1 6-6 21, Ryan Hong 0 0 0-1, Quentin Smith 1 0 1-1 3, J.T. Terry 1 0 0-0 2, Justin Workman 1 0 1-2 3, Tyler Staton 0 0 0-0 0, Dave Colley 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron Quinn 4 0 1-2 9, Caleb Copley 4 0 1-1 9, Zane Joy 1 0 0-0 2, James Hastings 1 0 2-5 4. Totals: 22

4

12-19

70. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 22 (Craft 10). Assists: Craft 6. Turnovers: 12.