Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The South Point Pointers have to play their way to win. Friday night they got their way again.

The Pointers used a strong defensive effort to beat the Rock Hill Redmen 57-36 and strengthened their hold on first place in the Ohio Valley Conference.

“Defensively we gave a very, very good effort. That’s how we have to play to win. We have to play good defense,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes.

“Audric Harlow did another nice job defensively. Marquise Foley played his best game defensively.”

South Point is 8-6 overall but atop the OVC at 6-1. The Pointers host Fairland on Monday and need a win to clinch the title. Fairland has just two league losses.

Brandon Barnes scored 19 points to lead the Pointers’ offense. John Johnson had 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Eli Ketron added eight points and 12 rebounds, Brady Rickard nine points and 12 rebounds, Brandon Boggs six rebounds and Marquise Foley had three assists.

Rock Hill (2-14, 1-6) was led by Austin Collins with 18 points.

Brandon Barnes scored 11 points and Johnson nine in the first half as South Point took a 32-13 lead.

The Pointers led by as many as 30 points in the third quarter and it was 47-22 heading in to the fourth quarter.

South Point 13 19 15 10 = 57

Rock Hill 4 9 9 14 = 36

SOUTH POINT (8-6, 6-1): Ryan Khounlavong 0 0 0-0 0, John Johnson 4 1 0-0 11, Jeremiah Kipp 0 0 2-2 2, Steven Wagner 0 0 0-0 0, Chris Woodard 0 0 0-0 0, Gage Townson 0 0 0-0 0, Elisha Adams 0 0 0-0 0, Audric Harlow 1 0 0-1 2, Brandon Barnes 6 2 1-1 19, Marquise Foley 0 0 0-0 0, Eli Ketron 2 0 4-4 8, Brady Rickard 3 0 3-6 9, Brandon Boggs 3 0 0-0 6. Totals: 19 3 10-14 57. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Foley.

ROCK HILL (2-14, 1-6): Aaron Dalton 0 0 0-0 0, Alex Nance 1 0 0-1 2, Joey Stidham 1 1 2-3 7, Brady Knipp 1 0 0-1 2, Austin Turley 0 1 0-0 3, Trystan Matney 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Barcus 1 0 0-0 2, Brandon Schob 0 0 0-1 0, Austin Collins 6 0 6-14 18. Totals: 10 2 10-20 36. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.