Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Whew!

After getting a big win at Ironton last Thursday to get within a half-game of the lead in the Ohio Valley Conference race, the Fairland Lady Dragons nearly lost their chance to tie for the lead on Monday.

Trailing most of the game, the Lady Dragons rallied in the fourth quarter to escape with a 59-56 win over the upset-minded Coal Grove Lady Hornets.

Fairland is now 10-3 overall and 7-1 in the OVC. Coal Grove falls to 7-6 and 5-3.

“We were able to get to the rim and draw some fouls early,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach. “(Emily) Compliment did a good job scoring when they hounded (Jacy) Jones.

“I’m so proud of the effort of my girls. Hopefully, they will believe they can compete with some the best teams in the area.”

Kelsey Riley keyed the comeback for Fairland. The senior scored 19 of her 22 points in the second half. Caitlyn Stone scored 20 points and Jenna Fulks added 10 points.

Compliment had a game-high 23 points while Jones had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Coal Grove.

Compliment scored 8 points — she was 4 of 4 at the foul line — and Jones had 8 points as she hit a pair of 3-pointers and the Lady Hornets took an 18-8 first quarter lead.

Kaylee Beals and Leah Crum hit 3-pointers as the Lady Hornets outscored Fairland 16-12 in the second to open up a surprising 34-20 lead at the half.

Riley and Stone scored 7 points each in the third quarter as Fairland cut the deficit to 44-38.

“We came out flat in the third quarter and they took advantage of it,” said Roach.

Riley scored 12 points in the fourth quarter as the Lady Dragons rallied for the win. Compliment scored 8 of Coal Grove’s 12 points in the quarter.

Fairland was just 21 of 69 from the field for 30 percent including 3 of 21 from the 3-point line.

Coal Grove was 21 of 55 for 38 percent from the floor but only 10 of 17 from the foul line.

Fairland 8 12 18 21 = 59

Coal Grove 18 16 10 12 = 56

FAIRLAND (10-3, 7-1): Maddy Kazee 2 0 0-2 4, Taylor Staten 0 0 1-3 1, Mackenzie Riley 1 0 0-0 2, Kelsey Riley 7 0 8-11 22, Caitlyn Stone 4 3 3-3 20, Jenna Fulks 4 0 2-2 10, Alesha Simpson 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21-69 14-21 59. 3-point goals: 3-21. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (7-5, 5-3): Jacy Jones 5 2 1-6 17, Kaylee Beals 1 1 0-0 5, Emily Compliment 8 0 7-8 23, Leah Crum 0 1 0-0 3, Leslie Mulkey 1 0 0-0 2, Kasey Murphy 0 0 2-2 2, Summer Willis 2 0 0-1 4. Totals: 21-55 10-17 56. 3-point goals: 4-12. Fouls: 17 Fouled out: None.