PORTSMOUTH - The Rock Hill Redmen just need more games. Close games.

Victory slipped through the Redmen fingers Tuesday as the Portsmouth Trojans made two foul shots with 12 seconds left to escape with a 55-54 win.

Playing just their second game, Rock Hill had a 54-53 lead when Donald Cade hit a layup with 20 seconds to play. Tyler Babcock was fouled with 12 seconds left and made both shots to give Portsmouth the lead.

A final attempt by Rock Hill was partially blocked to preserve the win.

"This is only our second game and we've never really played with a lead. We need more experience trying to protect a lead," Rock Hill coach Marty Mills said. "We cut down on our turnovers, but we didn't have great defensive intensity."

K.C. Christian scored 16 points and had three assists to pace the Redmen, 0-2. Donald Cade grabbed six rebounds while Rickie McDonie and Roger Joseph had five each. Cade also had four assists and four steals.

"Our scoring was spread out. That's the way we're going to be. We just have to have a couple of guys step up," Mills said.

Portsmouth, 3-2, was led by Tyler Clifford with 10 points.

T.J. Blagg scored all six of his points in the first quarter as Rock Hill took a 13-12 lead.

Christian had 11 points in the second quarter as the Redmen pulled away to a 32-27 lead. Clifford matched Christian with 11 points in the quarter.

Portsmouth rallied in the third quarter to take 42-41 and set up the photo finish.

The Redmen host Symmes Valley Saturday.

In the reserve game, Portsmouth won 67-46. Nick Snavely had 23 points and Ryan Skaggs 13 for the Redmen. Michael Valentine had 17 for the Trojans.

Rock Hill1319913-54

Portsmouth12151513-55

ROCK HILL (0-2):

K.C. Christian 3 2 4-5 16, T. J. Blagg 3 0 0-0 6, Sean Mullins 1 0 0-0 2, Donald Cade 3 0 2-4 8, Rickie McDonie 2 0 1-2 5, Zach Mullins 1 0 0-0 2, Roger Joseph 2 0 3-4 7, Derek Martin 3 0 2-2 8. Totals: 15

2

12-17

54. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 31 (McDonie 5, Joseph 5, Cade 6). Assists: 15 (Cade 4, S. Mullins 3, Christian 3). Steals: 8 (Cade 4). Turnovers: 18.

PORTSMOUTH (3-2):

Tyler Babcock 2 1 2-3 9, Jeff Pendleton 0 0 1-2 1, Justin Nelson 1 1 0-0 5, Justin Skaggs 1 0 0-0 2, Aaron Smith 3 0 0-0 6, Tyler Clifford 8 0 3-3 19, Michael Purdy 3 0 1-2 7, Andrew Newman 3 0 0-1 6. Totals: 21

2

7-12

55. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 21.