By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

SOUTH POINT — The Rock Hill Redmen had their offense in gear, so the South Point Pointers shifted to another gear.

In a hot-shooting shootout, the Pointers outscored the Redmen 78-71 Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Rock Hill had its best shooting effort of the season. The Redmen hit 28 of 44 shots for 64 percent and 7 of 13 from behind the arc for 54 percent.

South Point’s percentages weren’t as good, but the Pointers connected on more shots. The Pointers made 26 of 52 attempts and were 12 of 26 from the 3-point line.

“We’ve been shooting the ball extremely well. We’ve been shooting the ball better from the 3-point line than from 2-point range,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes.

Blake Barnes led the Pointers with a game-high 27 points to go with six rebounds, three assists and two steals. He was 11 of 16 from the floor including 3 of 4 from the arc.

Kyle Winkler had another big game with 24 points as he hit five 3-pointers. He also grabbed five rebounds.

Tevin Mitchell added 13 points, five assists and two steals for the Pointers (10-9, 5-4).

“We knew they were playing their third game in four days, so we really picked up the tempo and tried to wear them down,” said coach Barnes.

Rock Hill (7-11, 3-6) got 17 points each from Andy Knipp and Trey Wilds. Shane Russell and Devin Darby scored 12 apiece.

Wilds also made five 3-pointers while Knipp had 10 rebounds and five assists. Russell had seven rebounds and Wilds four assists.

“We played hard. The kids didn’t fold,” said Rock Hill coach Bob Wilds.

Winkler had nine points in the first quarter to offset five by Knipp as the Pointers went up 15-13.

Russell scored eight in the second quarter but the Pointers managed to go ahead 31-27 at the half.

Blake Barnes got the hot hand with 11 points in the third quarter to help the Pointers open up a 56-44 lead. Mitchell Patterson kept the Redmen within striking distance with seven points.

Wilds began dialing up from long distance in the fourth quarter as he drained five 3-pointers with Knipp adding eight points. But Blake Barnes had nine points for the Pointers as they held on to win.

Rock Hill 13 14 17 27 = 71

South Point 15 16 25 22 = 78

ROCK HILL (7-11, 3-6): Jonathan Schwab 1 0 0-0 2, Drew Kidd 0 0 0-0 0, Will McCollister 1 0 0-2 0, Shane Russell 3 1 3-6 12, Devin Darby 5 0 2-2 12, Trey Wilds 0 5 2-2 17, Mitchell Patterson 3 1 0-0 9, Andy Knipp 8 0 1-3 17. Totals: 28-44 8-15 71. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Darby. 3-point goals: 7-13. Rebounds: 10 offense, 19 defense = 29 (Knipp 10, Russell 7). Assists: 18 (Knipp 5, Wilds 4). Steals: 4. Turnovers: 16.

SOUTH POINT (10-9, 5-4): Tevin Mitchell 1 2 5-8 13, Austin Jeffreys 1 0 4-4 6, Blake Barnes 8 3 2-5 27, Kyle Winkler 4 5 1-2 24, Brandon Barnes 0 2 2-2 8, Zane Huron 0 0 0-0 0, Mike Leighty 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 26-52 14-21 78. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 12-26. Rebounds: Bl. Barnes 6, Winkler 5). Steals: Bl. Barnes 2, Winkler 2). Turnovers: 9.