Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — Maybe your grandparents remember the radio and eventual TV show “The Life of Riley” from the 1940s and 1950s, but the Fairland Lady Dragons made an updated version on Thursday.

With Kelsey Riley and Mackenzie Riley each scoring career highs in points, the Lady Dragons pulled away in the second half to a 68-34 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Rock Hill Redwomen.

“Mackenzie Riley played really well. She can get a defensive rebound and start the break herself. She makes things so much easier,” said Fairland coach Jon. Buchanan. “And Kelsey kept us in it until we could get going.”

Kelsey Riley scored 13 of her points in the first half as Fairland took a 25-18 halftime lead. Kaci Russell scored 11 points in the half to keep the Redwomen within striking distance.

However, Mackenzie Riley scored 11 points in the third quarter and the defense held Rock Hill to 6 points as the Lady Dragons pulled away to a 47-24 lead.

Jenna Fulks had 6 points in the fourth quarter as Fairland (5-3, 4-1) outscored Rock Hill 21-10.

Kelsey Riley finished with 20 points and Mackenzie Riley scored 19 points. Fulks added 10 points while Caitlyn Stone scored 8 in the balanced offense.

“We don’t have any single person with a big scoring average. We’re really balanced,” said Buchanan. “We didn’t play well and we got in some foul trouble, but we played through it.”

Russell finished with 13 points and Anna Darby chipped in 7 points for the Redwomen (2-4, 1-3).

Fairland 16 9 22 21 = 68

Rock Hill 8 10 6 10 = 34

FAIRLAND (5-3, 4-1): Emily Chapman 2 0 2-2 6, Maddy Kazee 0 0 2-2 2, Taylor Staten 0 0 0-0 0, Donyele Edwards 0 0 0-0 0, Madison Riley 8 0 3-5 19, Sarah Warnock 0 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Riley 7 0 6-9 20, Caitlyn Stone 4 0 0-0 8, Jenna Fulks 4 0 2-2 10, Alesha Simpson 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 26 0 16-22 68. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

ROCK HILL (2-4, 1-3): Jill Hairston 2 0 0-4 4, Madi Damron 2 0 0-0 4, Anna Darby 3 0 1-4 7, Samantha Dillon 0 0 1-2 1, Patty Riffe 2 00-0 4, Kaci Russell 2 1 6-6 13, Kyleigh Noel 0 0 1-2 1, Caitlyn Meadows 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 11 1 9-18 34. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Russell.