CHESHIRE - Close was close enough for now.

Despite just missing an upset win over the River Valley Lady Raiders, Rock Hill Redwomen coach Matt Fulks wasn't totally disappointed.

Rock Hill, with only one win and no seniors, dropped a 50-47 heartbreaker Thursday to the Lady Raiders in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

"We're battling and we're getting better," Fulks said. "We had a chance to win it and that's all you can ask. When you consider how how young we are, the difference was their experience."

Rock Hill tied the game at 47-47 when Beth Payne scored with a minute to play to give River Valley a 49-47 lead. Payne was fouled moments later and made one of two from the line to set the final score.

Samantha Harris had 13 points and Mandi McKenzie 11 to lead the Redwomen (1-9, 0-5). Brittany Ross and Brooke Long added 8 points each.

Ashley Caldwell had 15 points, Kristina Naylor 13 and Payne 12 to pace River Valley (5-5, 2-2).

The game was tied 13-13 at the end of the first quarter as McKenzie had 6 points.

The Redwomen managed just 2 points in the second quarter and trailed 26-15 at the half.

Ross had 4 points in the third quarter as Rock Hill cut the deficit to 38-32.

Harris erupted for 10 points in the fourth quarter, but Payne's heroics prevented the upset.

Rock Hill1321715-47

River Valley13131212-50

ROCK HILL (1-9, 0-5):

Brooke Long 1 2 0-0 8, Brittany Ross 4 0 0-2 8, Michelle Pancake 1 0 0-0 2, Kelsey Harris 0 0 0-2 0, Mandi McKenzie 5 0 1-1 11, Samantha Harris 2 3 0-0 13, Katrina Settle 1 0 3-4 5, Anna Bridges 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14

(5)

4-9

47. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: Long.

RIVER VALLEY (5-5, 2-2):

Carmen Waugh 0 0 0-0 0, Kristina Naylor 4 1 2-4 13, Beth Payne 3 1 3-4 12, Leslie Ward 1 0 0-2 2, Ashley Caldwell 5 0 5-6 15, Letia McAdana 3 0 2-4 8. Totals: 16

(2)

12-20

50. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.