By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PEDRO — The Rock Hill Redmen are learning.

Coach Bob Wilds has been concerned that his team needs to learn how to play better with the lead. The Redmen got the lead Tuesday and did quite well as they beat the River Valley Raiders 49-39 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We had the lead and we hit our free throws at the end when we needed,” said Wilds. “We did a better job with the lead, so I was pleased with that part of the game.”

Rock Hill (7-8, 2-4) was led by Will McCollister with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Andy Knipp had 15 points and 7 rebounds.

Austin Lewis scored 11 for River Valely (2-10, 0-6).

After a slow first quarter that had Rock Hill up 5-4, Knipp scored 7 points in the second quarter to match River Valley’s total as the Redmen went up 16-11 at the half.

McCollister, Knipp and Wilds combined for 13 points as Rock Hill extended the lead to 30-23 after three quarter.

Aaron Harrison scored all 5 of his points in the fourth quarter for the Raiders, but they were forced to foul and the Redmen converted 13 of 17 attempts at the line.

Drew Kidd made 6 of 9 foul shots, McCollister scored 8 points including 4 of 4 at the line, and Wilds and Knipp sank two foul shots each.

The Redmen were 19 of 28 from the line for the game. They were 14 of 34 from the field for 41 percent.

The Raiders made only 3 of their 13 free throw attempts.

Rock Hill hosts Coal Grove on Friday.

River Valley 4 7 12 16 = 39

Rock Hill 5 11 14 19 = 49

RIVER VALLEY (2-10, 0-6): Derek Flint 3 1 0-0 9, Kyle Bays 1 0 0-0 2, Chris Clemente 1 0 0-0 2, Trey Noble 2 0 0-0 4, Aaron Harrison 1 1 0-2 5, Joseph Lloyd 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Lewis 4 0 3-11 11, Ethan Dovernbarger 3 0 0-0 6. Totals: 15 2 3-13 39. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Noble.

ROCK HILL (7-8, 2-4): Drew Kidd 0 1 6-9 9, Will McCollister 5 0 6-8 16, Evan Morris 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Trey Wilds 0 1 2-2 5, Jared Bruce 1 0 1-2 3, Laden Delawder 0 0 1-2 1, Andrew Schwab 0 0 0-0 0, Andy Knipp 6 0 3-5 15. Totals: 14-34 19-28 49. 3-point goals: 2-11. Rebounds: 6-21=27 (McCollister 11, Knipp 7). Assists: 8 (Wilds 4, McCollister 2). Steals: 2. Turnovers: 13. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.