CHESHIRE — It didn’t matter how long or bumpy, it was a sweet ride.

The Rock Hill Redwomen ended more than two seasons without a road win as they got past the River Valley Lady Raiders 61-56 Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We made some free throws down the stretch and held them off. It felt good to ride home on the bus laughing and feeling good,” Redwomen coach Matt Fulks said. “Getting a road win is a big plus for us.”

Rock Hill finishes the regular season 7-13 after winning just two games last year. They were 4-6 in the OVC.

Mandi McKenzie led the Redwomen with 22 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Michelle Pancake and Brooke Long scored 11 each and Kelsey Harris had 10 points.

“We got a big game out of Brooke Long. She hit some big shots for us in the third quarter. And we got a big game out of Kelsey Harris,” Fulks said.

The Redwomen were bolstered by the return of Bobbi Harper and Samantha Harris who had missed the past two weeks with injuries.

“It as nice to have a full load. We didn’t back down. We came to play,” Fulks said.

Beth Payne and Kirsten Carter had 18 points each for River Valley (3-16, 1-9).

The Raiders were up 14-12 at the end of the first quarter despite seven points by McKenzie.

Pancake had five points in the second quarter as Rock Hill tied the game at 28-28.

Long hit a pair of 3-pointers and Kelsey Harris scored four points in the third quarter as the score remained tied at 42-42.

Rock Hill used an 8-0 run in the fourth quarter to take the lead at 55-47 with 1:30 left on two baskets by McKenzie, a jumper by Harris and then another strong drive to the basket by McKenzie.

A 3-pointer by Payne cut the deficit to 59-56 with 15 seconds left. But a clutch foul shot by Long sealed the win.

“It was good to see Mandi and Kelsey wanted the ball at the end,” Fulks said.

The Redwomen face Peebles at 5 p.m. Monday at Lucasville Valley in the Division III sectional tournament.

Rock Hill12161419=61

River Valley14141414=56

ROCK HILL (7-13, 4-6): Brooke Long 2 2 1-2 11, Brittany Ross 0 0 4-4 4, Michelle Pancake 4 0 3-6 11, Kelsey Harris 5 0 0-0 10, Mandi McKenzie 9 0 4-9 22, Gretchen Dickess 0 0 0-0 0, Samantha Harris 0 0 0-0 0, Bobbi Harris 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 23-57

(2-6)

13-23

61. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: K. Harris. Rebounds: 32 (McKenzie 7). Steals: 7 (McKenzie 3). Turnovers: 16.

RIVER VALLEY (3-16, 1-9): Rachael Walburn 1 0 2-2 4, Beth Payne 4 3 1-4 18, Kirsten Carter 8 0 2-3 18, Kayla Smith 0 0 1-2 1, Margo Fraley 1 0 0-0 2, Iliana Corfias 2 0 0-0 4, Courtney Circle 0 0 0-0 0, Brooke Taylor 3 0 3-7 9, Ashley Marcum 0 0 0-0. Totals: 22-57

(3-9)

9-19 56. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: Fraley. Rebounds: 36 (Taylor 13). Steals: 10 (Payne 4). Turnovers: 13.