Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

RIO GRANDE — The South Point Pointers just ran out of gas.

The Pointers fell behind by as many at 15 points before rallying to take the lead. However, they couldn’t hold the lead as the Circleville Tigers escaped with a 60-58 win Saturday in the University of Rio Grande’s Newt Oliver Coaches Classic.

“We just got off to a horrible start,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes. “We got behind by 14 at the half, so we started pushing the ball and running in the second half. I’m proud of the way the kids played in the second half.”

Brandon Barnes had a game-high 22 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists to lead the Pointers (1-3). John Johnson had 14 points and 5 rebounds while Eli Ketron finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Justin Hill led four players in double figures for Circleville (4-1). David Burroughs and Reed Hugus had 12 points each and Kyle Smith scored 10.

The scored was tied eight times and there were five lead changes.

Circleville (4-1) jumped in front 18-9 in the first quarter and led 34-20 at the half.

The Tigers opened up a 15-point lead with 6:45 left in the third quarter. But Barnes scored 16 of his points in the second half to ignite the Pointers’ second half comeback.

South Point closed to within 40-37 at the end of the quarter and took a 2-point lead in the fourth quarter. But Circleville hit a pair of 3-pointers to regain the lead and then held on for the win.

Circleville 18 16 6 20 = 60

South Point 9 11 17 21 = 58

CIRCLEVILLE (4-1): Will Giffin 2-8 2-3 6, Reed Hugus 3-5 4-4 12, Kyle Smith 3-10 2-2 10, David Burroughs 5-8 2-2 12, Justin Hill 7-10 3-3 20, Tanner Styers 0-0 0-0 0, Michael Camp 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-41 13-14 60. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 7-16 (Hugus 2-3, Smith 2-8, Hill 3-5). Rebounds: 15 (Giffin 8). Assists: 3 (Burroughs 1, Giffin 1, Hugus 1). Stelas: 3 (Hugus 2). Turnovers: 4. Blocked shots: 5 (Giffin 3).

SOUTH POINT (1-3): John Johnson 5-9 0-0 14, Gage Townson 0-0 0-0 0, Brandon Barnes 5-12 8-8 22, Eli Ketron 4-4 1-4 9, Brandon Boggs 1-4 0-0 2, Stehen Wagoner 0-1 0-0 0, Brady Rickard 2-2 1-2 5, A.J. Nease 0-1 0-0 0, Marquise Foley 2-5 1-2 6. Totals: 19-38 11-16 58. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 9-19 (Johnson 4-8, Nease 0-1, Barnes 4-8, Foley 1-2). Rebounds: 26 (Ketron 6, Johnson 5, Barnes 5). Assists: 5 (Barnes 2). Steals: 1 (Johnson) Blocked shots: 1 (Ketron). Turnovers: 11.