By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

RACINE — It’s not a question of how, but if.

Rock Hill Redwomen coach Alvin Carpenter said his team made plenty of mistakes, but the only thing that matters was getting a 53-42 win over the Southern Lady Tornadoes on Tuesday in the season opener.

“I was just glad to get a win,” said Carpenter.

“We were missing some players and we were on the road. It was ugly, but we won and I’m happy with that.”

The Redwomen hit 20 of 7 shots from the floor for 42 percent, but they made only 12 of 25 foul shots. They were also guilty of 18 turnovers.

Chelsea Harper scored a game-high 19 points to pace Rock Hill. She also had four assists and three steals.

Brook Knipp added 10 points, three assists and three steals while Tommi Butler had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Butler scored 6 points in the first quarter as Rock Hill grabbed a 12-4 lead. Morgan Damron got all 6 of her points as the Redwomen held onto a 25-18 halftime lead.

Harper had 9 points in the third quarter as each team scored 15 points.

Brooke Hanshaw converted 5 of 6 from the foul line over the final minute of the game to secure the win.

Rock Hill visits Green at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Rock Hill 12 13 15 13 = 53

Southern 4 14 15 9 = 42

ROCK HILL (1-0): Chelsea Harper 6 1 4-11 19, Morgan Damron 3 0 0-2 6, Kelsey Blagg 1 0 0-0 2, Brook Knipp 2 0 6-8 10, Tommi Butler 6 0 2-4 14, Brooke Hanshaw 1 0 0-0 2, Madison Damron 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20-47 12-25 53. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 1-5. Rebounds: 31 (Butler 10, Mo. Damron 8). Assists: 8 (Harper 4, Knipp 3, Ma. Damron 1). Steals: 12 (Harper 3, Knipp 3, Blagg 2, Ma. Damron 2). Turnovers: 18.

RACINE SOUTHERN (0-1): Courtney Thomas 2 1 2-2 9, Emily Ash 0 0 1-4 1, Morgan McMillan 3 0 3-7 9, Jessica Rice 3 0 0-0 6, Ansie Eunon 1 0 2-2 4, Jordan Huddleson 0 0 3-5 3, Kelli Humphrey 1 0 0-1 2, Brittany Congar 0 0 0-2 0, Sarah Lawrence 4 0 0-2 8. Totals: 14 1 11-25 42. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: Lawrence.