By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

COAL GROVE — Sometimes how you start does have a lot to do with how you finish.

The Coal Grove Lady Hornets trailed by 23 points at halftime. They came back strong in the second half but the hole was too deep to dig out of as the South Point Lady Pointers posted a 49-40 Ohio Valley Conference win on Tuesday.

“We played awful in the first half and then outscored them 25-14 in the second half,” said Lady Hornets’’ coach Nick Miller.

“It’s hard to explain sometimes, but with a team so young you’re going to get a lot of inconsistent play.”

Saratina Jackson led the Lady Pointers with 15 points. Molly Adams added 9 points to the balanced offense.

Jenna Anson scored a game-high 23 points to lead the Lady Hornets (1-4, 0-3).

South Point (2-2, 1-2) jumped out to a 19-4 first quarter lead as Jackson scored 6 points and Adams had 5 points as 6 different players scored.

Anson had both baskets for the Lady Hornets.

The lead drew to 35-13 at the half as Jackson hit a 3-pointer and scored 5 points with Samiya Bradburn adding 4 points to the offensive output.

Anson scored 4 points with Harmonee Boggs hitting a 3-pointer for Coal Grove in the quarter.

The Lady Hornets took control in the third quarter and outscored South Point 19-5 to cut the deficit to 40-32. Anson scored 15 points in the surge.

South Point outscored Coal Grove 9-8 in the fourth quarter as Jackson scored 4 points.

Emma Lively hit a triple and scored 5 points for the Lady Hornets.

South Point    19 16 5 9 = 49

Coal Grove 4 9 19 8 = 40

SOUTH POINT (2-2, 1-2): Saratina Jackson 6 1 0-0 15, Molly Adams 3 0 3-4 9, Leila Hall 1 0 1-2 3, Peyton Williamson 0 0 0-0 0, Samiya Bradburn 3 0 1-2 7, Jasmyn Jones 2 0 2-2 6, Harleigh Hysell 0 1 -0 3, Josie Kidd 2 0 2-3 6. Totals: 17 2 9-13 49. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: Kidd.

COAL GROVE (1-4, 0-3): Kendall Taylor 1 0 0-0 2, Kalli Vanderhoof 0 0 0-0 0, Kasey Vanderhoof 1 0 1-2 3, Shay Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Emma Lively 1 1 0-0 5, Isabelle Kitts 2 0 0-0 4, Jenna Anson 9 0 5-12 23, Harmonee Boggs 0 1 1-2 4. Totals: 14 2 6-15 40. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.