Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — This time, the Rock Hill Redwomen found a way to win in the fourth quarter.
After seeing several games get away later, the Redwomen were able to pull away in the final two minutes and beat the St. Joseph Lady Flyers 52-40 on Wednesday.
St. Joseph cut the gap to just two with 2:30 to play, but Rock Hill was able to pull away to the win.
Rileigh Morris scored 14 of Rock Hill’s 16 points in the fourth quarter including 4-for-5 at the line.
“We just couldn’t make a play,” said Lady Flyers’ coach Bart Burcham. “The last four minutes of the first half they just out-hustled us, but after that we played hard.
Morris finished with a season-high 24 points. Makayla Scott and Savannah Cade scored eight points each for Rock Hill (3-12).
Bella Whaley had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Lady Flyers (8-9). Faith Mahlmeister got nine points and 11 rebounds.
Rock Hill led 11-7 after the first quarter as Morris scored six points including 4-of-6 at the line. Cade hit a 3-poitner and had five points.
Kaitlyn Sheridan hit a trifecta while Bella Whaley and Emma Whaley each had baskets for the Lady Flyers.
Kylee Howard came up big with two 3-pointers, Cade hit another trey and Makayla Scott scored four points as Rock Hill went ahead 30-23 at the half.
Bella Whaley had nine points and Mahlmeister four to keep the Lady Flyers within striking distance.
The Redwomen struggled with their offense in the third quarter by scoring only six points and St. Joseph took advantage as Bella Whaley hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored seven points and it was 36-34.
But in the fourth quarter and the game still tight, Morris took over and lifted the Redwomen to the win.
With only nine roster players, the Lady Flyers were missing Chloe Sheridan due to an illness. Burcham lauded the play of Laiken Unger, Lydia Sheridan and Kerri Jenkins.
“Chloe (Sheridan) was sick and that hurt. She’s been playing well for us. But the other three girls off the bench gave us good minutes,” said Burcham who noted his team lost the first meeting 56-36 in December.
“The thing that I like is we are battling through things now compared to early in the season when things snowballed on us and would get out of control. I’m proud of our progress and our effort.”
Rock Hill hosts Ironton on Thursday. St. Joseph hosts Symmes Valley on Monday.
St. Joseph 7 16 11 6 = 40
Rock Hill 11 19 6 16 = 52
ST. JOSEPH (8-9): Kaitlyn Sheridan 0 1 0-2 3, Faith Mahlmeister 4 0 1-2 9, Emilee Blankenship 1 0 0-0 2, Bella Whaley 5 3 2-4 21, Emma Whaley 1 0 1-4 5, Laiken Unger 0 0 0-0 0, Lydia Sheridan 0 0 0-0 0, Kerri Jenkins 0 0 0-0 0. Rebounds: 29 (B. Whaley 11, Mahlmeister 11, E. Whaley 3, Unger 2, Blankenship 1, Jenkins 1). Fouls 12. Fouled out: None.
ROCK HILL (3-12): Kelsey Olderham 1 0 0-0 2, Savannah McGraw 0 0 0-0 0, Makayla Scott 4 0 0-0 8, Aleigha Matney 0 0 0-0 0, Kylee Howard 0 2 0-1 6, Autumn Proter 1 0 0-0 2, Rileigh Morris 8 0 8-11 24, Kenzie Hanshaw 1 0 0-0 2, Savannah Cade 1 2 0-0 8. Totals: 16 4 8-12 52. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.