CHESHIRE — The Coal Grove Hornets just couldn’t hold on.

Coal Grove led for most of the first half, but the River Valley Raiders rallied to take a 55-43 Ohio Valley Conference win Friday.

Coal Grove led throughout the first quarter and held its biggest lead at 10-5.

The Hornets were up 21-19 with 4:25 left in the half, but River Valley tied the game at the 3:48 mark and took the lead for good at 23-21 with 2:54 left in the half.

The Raiders were up 39-33 at the end of the third quarter and pulled away to their biggest lead at 54-39 with just 37 to play.

Wayne Sparks and Cody Damron scored 11 points each to lead the Hornets (7-13, 1-9).

The Hornets were only 3-of-4 from the line but they were also guilty of 24 turnovers. The Raiders were 23-of-31 from the line.

River Valley (6-14, 1-9) was paced by Ian Lewis with 19 points.

Coal Grove1581010=43

River Valley12161116=55

COAL GROVE (7-13, 1-9): Eric Edens 2 0 0-0 4, Austin Willis 0 0 0-0 0, Dion Cunningham 0 0 0-0 0, Chris Dirling 2 0 0-0 4, Devin Monnier 0 0 0-0 0, Sebastian Woods 0 0 0-0 0, Wayne Sparks 3 1 2-2 11, Nathan Sullivan 0 0 0-0 0, Rye Goodwin 2 0 0-0 4, Cody Damron 1 3 0-0 11, Dane Haukedahl 0 0 0-0 0, Brandon Chinn 4 0 0-0 8, David Bridges 0 0 1-2 1, Drew Tate 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18-47 3-4 43. Rebounds: 10-18=28. Turnovers: 24.

RIVER VALLEY (6-14, 1-9): Jordan Deel 0 0 0-0 0, sean Sands 0 0 0-0 0, Cody McAvena 0 0 1-2 1, Clayton Curnutte 1 0 0-0 2, Kody Johnson 1 0 6-8 8, Ryan Eggleton 1 2 1-2 9, Ian Lewis 6 0 7-8 19, Ryan Henry 2 0 3-4 7, Marcus Frazier 1 0 3-5 5, Zak Deel 1 0 2-2 4. Totals: 15-49 23-31 55. Rebounds: 16-16=32. Turnovers: 11.