COAL GROVE — It was the Coal Grove Hornets version of “Desperate Housewives.” It was called, “Desperate Players.”

Coal Grove coach Mike Waller said the Hornets were facing a desperate situation when they hosted the slumping St. Joseph Flyers Friday. That desperation left them for now after a 60-53 win.

“That’s two straight wins for us. This is one we desperately wanted to get,” Waller said. “Even though St. Joe has lost six in a row, it was a pretty good win. They still have some talent.”

Randy Wise scored 23 points to lead Coal Grove (5-10). Adam Bare had 19 points and 10 rebounds while Evan Melvin scored 16 points.

The Flyers fell to 7-7 as they lost their sixth straight.

Cory Lewis had 17 points and Jeremy Addis 11 to lead St. Joseph.

Wise nailed a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter as Coal Grove took a 12-8 lead.

Melvin’s eight points in the second quarter helped open up a 27-15 lead at intermission.

St. Joseph began a comeback in the third quarter as Michael Basedow and Lewis scored five points each to cut the deficit to 37-30.

Lewis had eight points in the fourth quarter as St. Joseph tried to rally, but the Flyers were forced to foul starting at the four minute mark and the Hornets proceeded to make 19 of 22 from the line.

Wise, who had 12 points in the quarter, was 10 of 12 from the line, Melvin 4 of 4, Zach Murphy 2 of 2 and Bare 3 of 3.

“Our ability to make free throws in the fourth quarter was the difference,” Waller said. “Murphy hit a couple of big shots for us. Bare had a big night.”

St. Joseph871523=53

Coal Grove12151023=60

ST.JOSEPH (7-7): Chad Harvey 0 0 0-0 0, Michael Basedow 3 0 1-2 7, Ryan Schwab 1 0 0-0 2, Cory Lewis 6 1 2-2 17, Clay Crum 0 0 1-2 1, Jeremy Addis 3 1 2-2 11, Ryan Waginger 0 1 0-0 3, Alex Swarts 4 0 0-1 8, Ryan Staton 1 0 2-4 4. Totals: 18

3

8-13

53. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: Lewis.

COAL GROVE (5-10):

Zach Murphy 2 0 2-2 6, Evan Melvin 2 1 9-11 16, Matt Melvin 3 0 0-0 6, Randy Wise 2 3 10-12 23, Tyler Branch 1 0 0-0 2, Adam Bare 7 0 5-8 19. Totals: 11

4

26-33

60. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: Bare 10, E. Melvin 5.