Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — Rock Hill coach Todd Knipp probably asked to sweep the gym floor himself. He was looking for points.
Rock Hill started hot but then cooled off in a 54-53 overtime loss to the Portsmouth Lady Trojans in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Thursday.
“We were too inconsistent on offense and left too many points on the floor,” said Knipp. “Credit Portsmouth. They survived our run in the first quarter and battled back.”
Ryleigh Morris scored 17 points and Lucy Simpson had 14 points to lead Rock Hill. Maddie Scott added 10 points.
Sharia Kearns scored a game-high 24 points including a pair of 3-pointers to lead Portsmouth. Jasmine Eley added 11 points.
Rock Hill (2-7, 0-5) bolted to a 19-9 first quarter lead as Morris scored 11 of her points while Scott added four. Kearns scored five for Portsmouth.
The Rock Hill offense cooled off in the second quarter but Kylisha and Sharia Kearns scored six points each as Portsmouth climbed to within 27-24 at the half.
Kyleigh Noel and Morris scored four points each in the third quarter but Sharia Kearns scored eight points that included a 3-pointer and 3-of-3 from the foul line and the game was tied at 37.
Each team scored 12 points in the fourth quarter with Makayla Scott and Maddie Scott combining for eight of Rock Hill’s total.
Eley scored six for Portsmouth.
In the overtime, Sharia Kearns hit a 3-pointer and Eley added a basket while Simpson got all four of Rock Hill’s points.
On Monday, Rock Hill is at South Point and Portsmouth visits Gallipolis.
Portsmouth    9    15    13    12    5    =    54
Rock Hill    19    8    10    12    4    =    53
PORTSMOUTH (1-6, 1-5): Jasmine Eley 4 0 3-7 11, Kylisha Kearns 4 0 0-0 8, Destin McKenzie 1 0 0-0 2, Sharia Kearns 6 2 6-6 24, Shai Howard 1 0 0-0 2, Jaiden Rickett 2 0 3-6 7, Layla Kegg 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 2 12-19 54. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.
ROCK HILL (2-7, 0-5): Kelsey Olderham 0 0 0-0 0, Makayla Scott 2 0 2-6 6, Lucy Simpson 5 0 4-7 14, Maddie Scott 4 0 2-5 10, Ryleigh Morris 8 0 1-2 17, Makenzie Hanshaw 0 0 0-0 0, Kyleigh Noel 2 0 2-3 6. Totals: 21 0 11-23 53. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.