Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — The light finally went on for the Coal Grove Lady Hornets and it was just bright enough to shine through for a victory.
Coal Grove rallied from a four-point deficit to beat the Portsmouth Lady Trojans 50-48 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Monday.
“We had a lot of unforced turnovers in the first half. We didn’t act like we want to play until the fourth quarter,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach.
Emily Compliment scored 20 points including 10-of-14 at the foul line to lead the Lady Hornets. Kasey Murphy scored 12 points.
“They were applying a lot of pressure to Compliment but she was able to get to the free throw line,” said Roach.
“Murphy had a solid game. I have been really pleased with her the last couple of games. She was perfect from the free throw line and she also put in a few other baskets when we needed them.”
Compliment also had six rebounds, three assists and five steals. Lauren Crum had six rebounds while Destiny Dolen and Bailee McKnight grabbed five each.
Dolen and McKnight also had three steals each.
The Lady Trojans’ Hannah Hughes hit five 3-pointers and scored 16 points to lead three players in double figures. Jasmine Eley scored 12 and Semajah Parker had 11 points.
“Crum’s wrist is still a little tender and she played sparingly. Dolen got in foul trouble and had to sit a lot. Their big girl (Parker) was very aggressive and just moved us around wherever she wanted,” said Roach.
Compliment scored six points including four free throws as Coal Grove took a 12-3 first quarter lead.
But Portsmouth used three 3-pointers by Hughes that included a four-point play and Parker scored six points to take a 22-20 halftime lead.
Parker scored five points and Hughes and Eley each hit 3-pointers as the Lady Trojans went up 35-31 after three quarters. Murphy and Dolen scored four points each in the quarter for Coal Grove.
In the fourth quarter, Compliment scored 10 points including 6-of-7 from the foul line and McKnight scored all seven of her points as Coal Grove rallied for the win.
On Thursday, Coal Grove hosts Fairland and Portsmouth visits South Point.
Coal Grove    12    8    11    19    =    50
Portsmouth    3    19    13    13    =    48
COAL GROVE (10-6, 5-4): Bailee McKnight 3 0 1-2 7, Kyle Deer 2 0 0-0 4, Emily Compliment 5 0 10-14 20, Kaey Murphy 3 0 6-6 12, Destiny Dolen 2 0 3-4 7, Lauren Crum 0 0 0-4 0, Emileigh Bryant 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 15-48 20-30 50. 3-point goals: 0-6. Rebounds: 6-O, 23-D = 29 (Compliment 6, Crum 6, Dolen 5, Murphy 5, McKnight 5). Assists: 5 (Compliment 3). Steals: 11 (Compliment 5, Dolen 3, McKnight 3). Turnovers: 23. Blocked shots: 2 (Crum, Bryant). Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Dolen.
PORTSMOUTH (NA): Jasmine Eley 1 2 4-5 12, Kylisha Kearns 0 1 1-2 4, Hannah Hughes 0 5 1-1 16, Shai Howard 0 0 0-0 0, Destiny McKenzie 0 0 0-0 0, Jaiden Rickett 0 0 0-0 0, Mya Williams 1 0 2-2 4, Semajah Parker 5 0 1-3 11, Layla Kegg 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 15-43 10-15 48. 3-point goals: 8. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Kearns, Parker.