By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

COAL GROVE — Defense and a key shot were the ingredients the Coal Grove Lady Hornets needed.

Katey Erwin scored with 31 seconds left and Ashley Adkins and Jacy Jones led a strong defensive effort as the Lady Hornets held on to beat the River Valley Lady Raiders 42-38 Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“River Valley has two good shooters so when you key on one, the other knocks down a shot,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach.

“Jones had another great defensive game and was able to get in (Alli) Neville’s face and make it difficult for her to get any good looks a the basket. Adkins missed some shots in the third quarter but she was tired from playing defense.”

Adkins had 18 points including 7 of 7 at the line in the first half to lead Coal Grove (8-3, 3-3). Jones added 12 points.

Neville finished with 20 points to lead River Valley (3-10, 1-5).

“River Valley shoots a lot of 3s and a couple of times we had a mix-up on defense and they were able to capitalize,” said Roach. “Erwin and (Darrien) Hankins did a good job rebounding and allowing our guards to get some shots off.”

Coal Grove led 12-11 after the first quarter but River Valley rallied to take a 25-22 halftime lead.

The Lady Raiders were up 34-30 after three quarter before Coal Grove rallied to take the lead on Erwin’s basket.

River Valley 11 14 9 4 = 38

Coal Grove 12 10 8 12 = 42

RIVER VALLEY (3-10, 1-5): Chelsea Copley 0 0 0-0 0, Shalin Comer 1 0 0-0 2, Beth Misner 1 0 1-2 3, Alli Neville 7 1 3-4 20, Cady Gilmore 2 1 2-2 9, Kacie Bryant 0 0 2-2 2. FT 8-10. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: Neville.

COAL GROVE (8-3, 3-3): Jacy Jones 5 0 2-3 12, Deanna Bentley 1 0 0-4 2, Katey Erwin 2 0 1-3 5, Ashley Adkins 5 0 8-11 18, Ashley Goad 0 0 0-0 0, Cheyenne Bellomy 1 0 0-0 2, Amanda Collins 0 0 1-2 1, Darrien Hankins 0 0 2-2 2. FT: 13-24. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.