Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

GALLIPOLIS — The Fairland Dragons are making a habit out of comeback wins.

After rallying to beat Cleveland John Hay last Sunday, the Dragons stormed back in the fourth quarter to overcome an upset bid by the Gallipolis Blue Devils 54-45 on Friday.

Fairland (6-1) trailed most of the game before outscoring Gallipolis 21-5 in the fourth quarter to get the win.

The Blue Devils led 15-13 at the end of the first quarter. The lead continued to change hands until the 5:12 mark of the second quarter when Gallipolis went ahead and remained in front until 4:01 was left to play in the game.

Luke Thomas scored as Fairland tied the game at 42 but Michael Putney’s floater gave the Blue Devils the lead with 3:37 to go.

Gallipolis (2-9) led 28-22 at the half and held its biggest lead at 34-25 with 4:34 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Chance Short then tied the game at 44-44 with 2:49 on the clock and then hit a field goal at the 2:05 mark as the Dragons finally regained the lead.

Short stole the ball on the Blue Devils’ next possession and hit a fastbreak layup with 1:49 left and the lead was 48-44.

Wes Jarrell hit the first of two foul shots with 1:20 on the clock and teammate Devin Henry grabbed the offensive rebound.

However, Thomas came up with a steal and was fouled. He hit both free throws with 53 seconds left.

Short hit two foul shots with 26 seconds left and two more with 18 seconds for a 56-44.

Fairland was 8 of 8 from the line in the fourth quarter and 6 of 9 from the field while not committing a turnover.

Short had a game-high 27 points to lead Fairland. Nathan Campbell had 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists.

Alex White scored 12 points while Jarrell and Henry had 10 each for Gallipolis.

The Dragons are at South Point on Tuesday.

Fairland 13 9 11 21 = 54

Gallipolis 15 13 12 5 = 45

FAIRLAND (6-1): Chance Short 7 2 7-7 27, Gunner Short 0 1 0-0 3, Isaiah Howell 1 1 0-0 5, Nathan Campbell 2 0 2-4 6, Luke Thomas 0 1 2-2 5, Tyler Campbell 1 0 0-1 2, Kollin Van Horn 3 0 0-0 6. Totals: 20-45 11-14 54. 3-point goals: 5-16. Rebounds: 21 (N. Campbell 8). Assists: 9 (N. Campbell, Howell 2). Steals: 10 (N. Campbell 3). Blocked shots: 1 (Van Horn). Turnovers: 12. Fouls: 13. Foul out: None.

GALLIPOLIS (2-9): Kole Carter 2 0 1-1 5, Wes Jarrell 4 0 2-4 10, Michael Putney 4 0 0-0 8, Alex White 6 0 0-0 12, Miles Cornwell 0 0 0-0 0, Devin Henry 5 0 0-1 10, Trevor McNeal 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-44 3-8 45. 3-point goals: 0-8. Rebounds: 26 (White 12). Assists: 10 (Carter 3, Henry 3). Steals: 5 (Jarrell 3). Blocked shots: 2 (Jarrell 2). Turnovers: 17. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.