By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PEDRO — The Rock Hill inside-outside game was cut in half.

While Andy Knipp and Will McCollister combined for 34 points on the inside, Rock Hill’s outside shooting slumped as the Redmen dropped a 48-46 heartbreaker to the Wellston Golden Rockets on Tuesday.

“We have been shooting around 42 percent from the outside, but we couldn’t do it tonight,” said Rock Hill coach Bob Wilds. “We scored inside but they began to pack it in and take that away and it just wasn’t our night from the outside.”

Knipp had a game-high 23 points and 9 rebounds. McCollister scored 11 to go with 8 rebounds while Trey Wilds had 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Drew Kidd added 9 points on three trifectas.

Nigel Courts scored 18 and Justus Ousley 13 to lead the Rockets (2-2).

McCollister had 7 of his points in the first quarter to offset 5 by Ousley and the game was tied at 9-9.

Knipp had 7 points in the second quarter as Rock Hill went ahead 21-19 at the half. Courts scored 7 for the Rockets.

Wellston rallied to take a 40-37 lead in the third quarter as Courts scored 9 points. Knipp had 8 points and Kidd drained a pair of triples for the Redmen.

“I was pleased with the defense except for the third quarter. It let us down,” said coach Wilds. “We gave up 27 points in three quarters but 21 in just one quarter.”

Knipp scored 6 more in the fourth quarter but the Rockets managed to converted 4 of 7 from the line to preserve the win.

Rock Hill travels to Oak Hill on Friday, Dec. 30.

Wellston 9 10 21 8 = 48

Rock Hill 9 12 16 9 = 46

WELLSTON (2-2): Andrew Richards 1 0 0-0 2, Dakota Brown 2 1 0-2 7, Nigel Courts 6 0 6-10 18, Ernest Brown 0 0 0-0 0, Justus Ousley 3 1 4-4 13, Austin Craig 1 1 1-4 6, Blake Warrington 0 0 2-2 2. Totals: 13 3 13-22 48. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

ROCK HILL (3-4): Drew Kidd 0 3 0-0 9, Will McCollister 3 1 2-3 11, Evan Morris 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Trey Wilds 0 0 0-0 0, Jared Bruce 0 0 0-0 0, Laden Delawder 0 1 0-0 3, Andy Knipp 11 0 1-3 23. Totals: 19-51 3-6 46. 3-point goals: 5-19. Rebounds: 13-16=29 (Knipp 9, McCollister 8, Wilds 6). Assists: 5 (Wilds 5). Steals: 3. Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.