PEDRO — When the game is on the line, it’s K.C. time.

With the outcome of the game hanging in the balance, K.C. Christian scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter as the Rock Hill Redmen got past the Coal Grove Hornets 73-65 Tuesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Christian was held scoreless in the first half and had just four points in the third quarter before his fourth quarter outburst.

“K.C. is a good athlete. He stepped up in the fourth quarter and we didn’t have an answer,” Hornets coach Mike Waller said.

Waller praised the efforts of Evan and Matt Melvin for their defensive effort throughout most of the game on Christian.

“When Evan got in foul trouble they were able to exploit some of our mismatches,” Waller said. “Our kids played hard, but three or four straight trips they scored. We knew what they were going to do, but to Rock Hill’s credit they executed their offense.”

Rock Hill coach Marty Mills gave credit to his team’s offense.

“We didn’t really start with a whole lof intensity. We got in some early foul trouble and our matchups weren’t good,” Mills said.

“We shot the ball extremely well throughout the game. As poorly as we’ve shot in our previous games, I knew we were a better shooting team. If we shoot well, we’re going to be competitive.”

The game was tied 17-17 after the first quarter. Wes Pierson came off the bench and scored seven points for the Redmen.

Rock Hill took a 31-26 lead at the half, but Randy Wise had seven points in the third quarter to get Coal Grove within 48-44.

But Christian got the hot hand in the fourth quarter and Pierson made 3-of-4 from the foul line down the stretch to help offset nine points by Wise.

“The last six minutes of the game K.C. just took it over. He finally got in some kind of a rhythm,” Mills said.

“Wes Pierson came in and did a nice job as did Derek Robinson in the first half. (Aaron) Butler sparked a run late in the first half, and (Mark) DePriest was more aggressive than he has been all season. And Ison gave us a spark. He shot the ball like he’s capable.”

Besides Christian, Mike Ison had 13 points while Pierson and DePriest finished with 12 each for Rock Hill (2-2, 1-0).

Wise had 18 points for the Hornets (1-2, 0-1). Matt Melvin and Adam Bare scored 14 each and Zach Murphy added 10.

Coal Grove1791821=65

Rock Hill17141725=73

COAL GROVE (1-2, 0-1):

Zach Murphy 3 1 1-2 10, Evan Melvin 2 0 1-2 5, Matt Melvin 6 0 2-2 14, Randy Wise 6 1 3-3 18, Tyler Branch 2 0 0-0 4, Adam Bare 6 0 2-4 14. Totals: 27-52 (2-7) 9-13

65. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Evan Melvin, Matt Melvin. Rebounds: 4-20-24. Turnovers: 17.

ROCK HILL (2-2, 1-0):

K.C. Christian 6 0 6-7 18, Wes Pierson 3 0 6-8 12, Nathan Davenport 3 0 0-0 6, Matt Matney 2 0 0-0 4, Derek Robinson 2 0 1-1 5, Mark DePriest 5 0 2-3 12, Mike Ison 2 3 0-0 13, Aaron Butler 1 1 0-0 5, Aaron Stumbo 0 0 0-0 0, Nick Howard 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 28-59

(4-10)

. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.Rebounds: 11-23=34 (Davenport 7, Matney 6, DePriest 5). Assists: 17 (Christian 9). Steals: 7 (DePriest 3). Turnovers: 4.