By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

SOUTH POINT — The Coal Grove Hornets had a game plan. They didn’t realize they needed it longer than they had planned.

The Hornets used their game plan to perfection as they slipped past the South Point Pointers 72-63 in double overtime on Tuesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“Coal Grove out-hustled us. They had a good defensive plan and they deserved to win,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes. “We almost stole it twice but we didn’t protect the lead. We didn’t deserve to win.”

Coal Grove (9-2, 3-1) was led by Alex Bare with a game-high 25 points. Conor Markins had 15 points, Bryan Steele 12 and Jordan Beals 11.

Brandon Barnes scored 23 points to pace the Pointers (5-5, 1-3). Josh Payne and Austin Jeffreys scored 12 each and Kurt Adams had 10.

Payne scored all 12 of his points in the first half and Barnes had 11 points as the Pointers took a 28-27 halftime lead.

The lead was 39-36 after three quarters before Coal Grove rallied to tie the game at 51-51 and force overtime.

Bare hit a driving layup at the buzzer to tie the game in the second overtime at 61 and send the game into a second extra period.

Bare scored 9 points in the two overtimes periods and the Hornets outscored the Pointers 11-2 in the second overtime to get the win.

“We didn’t shoot the ball very well tonight, but we didn’t quit. I was happy about that. But we need to improve our defense,” said coach Barnes.

Coal Grove 9 18 9 15 10 11 = 72

South Point 11 17 11 12 10 2 = 63

COAL GROVE (9-2, 3-1): Jordan Beals 4 0 3-6 11, Alex Bare 8 1 6-12 25, Jacob Pauley 0 0 0-0 0, Colton Bryant 0 0 1-4 1, Conor Markins 2 3 2-2 15, Bryan Steele 4 0 4-9 12, Kyle Estep 3 0 2-4 8. Totals: 21 4 18-37 72. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Steele.

SOUTH POINT (5-5, 1-3): Austin Jeffreys 4 0 4-6 12, John Johnson 0 0 2-2 2, Tre Campbell 0 0 0-4 0, Austin Majher 0 0 2-4 2, Josh Payne 6 0 0-1 12, Brandon Barnes 5 2 7-10 23, Kurt Adams 2 2 0-2 10, Audric Harlow 1 0 0-0 2, Brandon Boggs 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 4 15-29 63. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Payne, Majher, Campbell.