Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — It was a tale of two halves.

Coal Grove had a big first half, but Wesley Christian controlled the second half as the Riders beat the Hornets 60-54 on Tuesday.

Travis Carey hit a pair of 3-poigners and scored 8 points and Brandon Adkins had 7 points including a trey as the Hornets jumped out to a 17-8 first quarter lead.

Adkins scored 8 points in the second quarter but Pepper Ben had 8 points for the Riders who cut the deficit to 33-28 at the half.

The Hornets had just 7 points in the third quarter — 4 by Joe Akers — while the Riders rallied to take a 41-40 lead.

Austen Pleasants, Jordan Lucas and Adkins have 4 points each in the fourth quarter, but Wesley Christian had six different players score as they out-pointed the Hornets 19-14.

Coal Grove (10-9) was led by Adkins with a game-high 19 points. Carey hit three 3-pointers and scored 12 points.

Wesley Christian (19-14) had three players in double figures. Pepper Ben had 15 points while Shaq Athie and M.J. Lex had 11 each.

Coal Grove visits Chesapeake on Friday.

Wesley Christian 8 20 13 19 = 60

Coal Grove 17 16 7 14 = 54

WESLEY CHRISTIAN (19-14): Shaq Athie 4 0 3-7 11, Jon Ililya 1 0 0-0 2, Pepper Ben 7 0 1-3 15, Ben Kapinga 3 0 0-2 6, Kelvin Osondu 0 0 0-0 0, Matausz Gawlina 0 0 0-0 0, Lequan Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Wiktor Sewiol 0 0 0-0 0, Nene Kiameso 2 1 0-0 7, J.J. Lex 3 1 2-3 11, Abe Onyebuchi 1 0 0-0 2, Malik Mcdonald 3 0 0-0 6. Totals: 24 2 6-13 60. Fouls 12. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (10-9): Travis Carey 1 3 1-2 12, Sean Paulus 0 1 0-0 3, Brandon Adkins 7 1 2-3 19, Joe Akers 2 0 0-0 4, Austen Pleasants 4 0 0-0 8, Jordan Lucas 0 0 4-4 4, Jonathon Joseph 0 0 0-0 0, Chase McKnight 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 16 5 7-9 54. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: Paulus.