By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

COAL GROVE — When the Fairland Dragons finally started to close their defense, they closed in on another win.

The Dragons fell behind early but rallied to post a 56-44 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Coal Grove Hornets on Tuesday.

Coal Grove gook a 19-13 first quarter lead as Conor Markins scored 8 points to offset 7 points by the Dragons’ Blaine Fuller.

“It was senior night and Coal Grove was ready to play,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed. “We were focused on stopping (Alex) Bare and that left some open shots. We adjusted and started to close out on those shots.”

Evan Salyers had 6 points in the second quarter and the defense held the Hornets to 6 points as Fairland took a 28-25 halftime lead.

The Dragons limited Coal Grove to just 4 points in the third quarter as they took a 38-29 lead.

Salyers had 7 points in the fourth quarter to help the Dragons overcome 9 points by Bryan Steele and secure the win.

Salyers had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Dragons (15-4, 8-2). Fuller finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds while Cody Midkiff added 10 points and Evan Maddox 5 assists.

Coal Grove (12-8, 4-6) was led by Steele with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Markins finished with 10 points.

Fairland hosts Ironton on Friday. The Hornets face Wheelersburg at 6:15 p.m. next Tuesday in the Division III sectional tournament at Jackson.

Fairland 13 15 10 18 = 56

Coal Grove 19 6 4 15 = 44

FAIRLAND (15-4, 8-2): Thayer Flynn 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Cody Midkiff 2-3 1-3 1-4 10, Alec Warner 0-1 0-2 0-0 0, Luke Phillips 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Eric Riley 1-1 0-0 0-2 2, Kyle Raines 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Evan Maddox 2-3 1-7 0-2 7, Blaine Fuller 6-12 0-1 3-4 15, Josh Goodman 0-1 0-0 1-2 1, Nathan Campbell 0-0 0-0 0-1 0, Evan Salyers 8-13 0-0 1-1 17, Ryan Wooten 2-2 0-0 0-0 4. Totals: 23-50 6-16 56. 3-point goals: 2-13. Rebounds: 33 (Salyers 12, Fullr 7). Assists: 10 (Maddox 5). Steals: 5. Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (12-8, 4-6): Jordan Beals 1-3 0-0 1-2 3, Alex Bare 1-7 0-1 3-5 5, Jacob Pauley 2-2 0-3 0-0 4, Colten Bryant 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Isaiah Gunther 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, T.J. Barrett 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Conor Markins 1-5 2-4 2-2 10, Bryan Steele 3-5 1-1 7-9 16, Kyle Estep 3-6 0-0 0-0 6, Brandon Doyle 0-1 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-36 13-18 44. 3-point goals: 3-9. Rebounds: 16 (Steele 9). Assists: 2. Steals: 2. Turnovers: 17. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Steele.