HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The South Point Pointers could barely remember the last time they played a game.

However, they didn’t forget how to win.

Despite a nearly three-week layoff, the Pointers handed the unbeaten Huntington St. Joseph Fighting Irish their first loss of the season 45-38 Saturday.

“We had a very good defensive effort,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes. “They’re very athletic, so to hold them to 38 points is really good.

“Offensively we struggled. That was partly due to the layoff, but it was also because of them. They’re big and athletic and they play that 2-3 zone like they’re Syracuse. If you’re not hitting shots, they make it tough on you.”

South Point (4-3) was down 12-9 at the end of the first quarter and 23-18 at the half. The Pointers got within 34-30 at the end of the third quarter to set up their comeback.

Trailing by two with 2:10 to play, Ethan Prater scored inside and Blake Barnes drilled a 3-pointer to ignite a 9-0 run and give the Pointers the lead for good.

“We didn’t look that good at times, but we got the job done and that’s all that matters,” said coach Barnes.

Blake Barnes had a game-high 17 points including three trifectas and Prater had 15 as they combined for 32 points.

Kyle Sheffield had 14 points and Aaron Williams 11 for the Irish (7-1).

The Pointers — who had not played since Dec. 22 when they beat River Valley 77-36 — will host Rock Hill Tuesday and Coal Grove Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference games. They travel to Peebles next Saturday.

“I was worried about being off so long, but we had the best practices over Christmas break that I’ve ever had from any team,” said coach Barnes.

South Point 9 9 12 15 = 45

St. Joseph 12 11 11 4 = 38

SOUTH POINT (4-3): Tevin Mitchell 0 2 1-4 7, Matt Button 0 0 0-0 0, Blake Barnes 2 3 4-5 17, Bruton 0 0 0-0 0, Josh Powers 0 0 0-0 0, Ethan Prater 5 1 2-4 15, Cody Taylor 2 0 2-2 6, Greg Taylor 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 6 9-15 45. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

HUNTINGTON ST. JOSEPH (7-1): Kyle Sheffield 5 1 1-2 14, Aaron Williams 5 0 1-3 11, Josh Pierson 0 1 0-1 3, Nate Hedrick 3 0 0-0 6, Lance West 2 0 0-0 4, Parker Smith 0 0 0-0 0, Charles Lockhard 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15 2 2-6 38. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.