By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

FRANKLIN FURNACE — The Rock Hill Redmen like to play them close.

With five losses this season by a total of 11 points, the Redmen flirted with another close game on Tuesday but this time they came away with a 40-39 win over the Green Bobcats.

Andy Knipp hit a basket with six seconds left to lift the Redmen over the Bobcats.

“We’ll take it, especially being on the road,” said Rock Hill coach Bob Wilds. “We’ve had so many close games it’s nice to win one. The ball just hasn’t bounced our way so far.”

Rob Applegate hit a basket with 20 seconds left to put Green ahead 39-38. Rock Hill then hit Knipp on an inbound play to score the winning basket.

Green had one final chance but Trey Wilds came up with a steal to secure the win.

Will McCollister had a big game for the Redmen with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Knipp finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds. Drew Kidd scored 9 points on three 3-pointers and Wilds had 5 of Rock Hill’s 6 assists.

Cody Bruce led the tough-luck Bobcats (1-7) with 14 points. Colt Brammer also scored 9 points one three triples and Applegate added 8 points.

McCollister dropped in 7 points in the first quarter but Green took a 12-11 lead.

Brammer hit a pair of trifectas and Applegate scored 4 points as Green increased its lead to 24-17 at the half.

But Laden Delawder and McCollister scored 4 points each in the third quarter and the defense held Green to just 4 points — all by Bruce — as the Redmen went up 30-28.

Knipp scored 7 points including the winning basket in the fourth quarter. Bruce and Applegate combined for 8 of Green’s 11 points.

On Friday, Rock Hill visits South Point while Green goes to Portsmouth Notre Dame.

Rock Hill 11 6 13 10 = 40

Green 12 12 4 11 = 39

ROCK HILL (4-5): Drew Kidd 0 3 0-1 9, Will McCollister 6 1 0-2 15, Evan Morris 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Trey Wilds 1 0 0-0 2, Jared Bruce 0 0 0-0 0, Laden Delawder 2 0 0-0 4, Andrew Schwab 0 0 0-0 0, Andy Knipp 4 0 2-5 10. Totals: 17-48 2-8 40. 3-point goals: 4-19. Rebounds: 7-23=30 (McCollister 13, Knipp 8). Assists: 6 (Wilds 5). Steals: 5 (Wilds 2, Kidd 2). Turnovers: 9. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

GREEN (1-7): Steven Blanton 0 0 0-0 0, Rob Applegate 4 0 0-1 8, Clay Applegate 0 0 0-0 0, Cody Bruce 6 0 2-2 14, Tyler Crace 0 2 0-0 6, Colt Brammer 0 3 0-0 9, Adam Riffitt 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 11 5 2-3 39. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.