Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — When you’re hot, you’re hot.

The Athens Bulldogs continued their hot streak as they beat the Coal Grove Hornets 66-41 on Saturday in the annual Beast of the Southeast.

It was the Bulldogs’ fifth win in their last seven games including a 55-40 upset win over Alexander on Friday.

Griffin Lutz scored 18 points and Zachiah Saltzman 15 to lead the Bulldogs (5-6).

Coal Grove (4-7) was led by Daniel Rutherford with 10 points.

Athens led 13-9 after the first quarter but built a 27-16 halftime lead as Lutz and Saltzman combined for 10 points. Aaron Music scored 4 points and Cole Gannon had a 3-pointer for the Hornets.

The Bulldogs outscored the Hornets 24-11 in the third quarter to open up a 51-27 cushion. Saltzman had 9 points in the quarter including a 3-pointer and the Bulldogs went 6-of-8 at the foul line.

Rutherford had 4 points for the Hornets.

Brody Ball scored all 8 of his points in the fourth quarter for Athens to help offset a pair of 3-pointers by Coal Grove’s Evan Holmes.

Coal Grove visits Chesapeake on Tuesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Athens 13 14 24 15 = 66

Coal Grove 9 7 11 14 = 41

ATHENS (5-6): Griffin Lutz 7 0 4-4 18, Robert Dickleman 1 0 0-0 2, Zachiah Saltzman 3 1 3-4 15, Dalton Cozart 1 0 1-2 3, Noah Skinner 3 1 0-2 9, Brody Ball 4 0 0-0 8, Treyce Altin 0 0 0-0 0, Nick Lutz 1 0 2-2 4, Logan Mayfield 1 0 0-0 2, Bay Rogers 0 0 0-0 0, Genesis Williams 0 1 0-0 3, Brandon Raneo 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 22 3 10-14 66. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

COAL GROVE (4-7): Cole Gannon 1 1 2-5 7, Daniel Rutherford 3 0 4-5 10, Dalton Miller 0 0 0-0 0, Chase McKnight 1 0 5-6 7, Jeb Jones 2 0 0-3 4, Dylan Malone 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron Music 2 0 0-0 4, Mark Sites 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Case 0 0 0-0 0, Jaylen McKenzie 0 1 0-0 3, Evan Holmes 0 2 0-0 6. Totals: 9 4 11-19 41. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.