Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth Clay’s big men came up big in the second half.

Leading by just five points at the half, Clay outscored the Rock Hill Redmen 41-25 in the second half and took a 62-41 win Saturday.

“Their size just wore us down,” said Rock Hill coach Dave Hopper.

Clay’s 6-foot-6 Eldin Sarjilic had 16 points and 6-5 Michael Schmidt, 6-2 Mason Pelphrey and 6-2 Cole Gilliland combined for 27 points.

Austin Collins had 24 points to lead the Redmen (1-13).

Clay (7-7) got six points from Nate Hinze to lead 12-10 at the end of the first quarter. Collins had all 10 of Rock Hill’s points.

Pelphrey scored seven of his 13 points in the second quarter and it was 21-16 at the half.

Sarajilic had eight points in the third quarter as Clay outscored Rock Hill 19-11 to lead 40-27.

Zack Phillips and Gilliland each it a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Panthers continued to pull away.

Rock Hill 10 6 11 14 = 41

Ports. Clay 12 9 19 22 = 62

ROCK HILL (1-13): Aaron Dalton 1 2 0-0 8, Alex Nance 1 0 0-0 2, Joey Stidham 0 0 2-3 2, Austin Collins 6 2 6-7 24, Trystan Matney 1 0 0-0 2, Jordan Hairston 0 0 0-0 0, Brandon Schob 0 1 0-0 3. Totals: 9 5 8-12 41. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

PORTSMOUTH CLAY (7-7): Adam Cooper 1 0 2-2 4, Aaron Phipps 0 0 0-1 0, Zack Phillips 0 3 0-0 9, Cole Gilliland 0 2 2-2 8, Eldin Sarajilic 7 0 2-3 16, Michael Schmidt 3 0 0-1 6, Mason Pelphrey 5 0 3-5 13, Nate Hinze 0 2 0-0 6. Totals: 16 7 9-14 62. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.