By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

COAL GROVE — It was quite a game, at least the first half.

The Coal Grove Lady Hornets used a big second half to break open a tie game at the half and beat the Rock Hill Redwomen 62-40 on Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

‘The game was as a rival should be,” said Lady Hornets’ coach Rick Roach. “There was good fan support on both sides and there was very intense defense.”

Ashley Adkins scored a career-high 30 points to lead the Lady Hornets (5-1, 2-0). Jacy Jones added 13.

Katey Erwin, Darrien Hankins, Jones and Adkins combined for 32 rebounds.

Brook Knipp scored a career-high 16 points to lead Rock Hill (3-2, 0-2). Brooke Hanshaw and Chelsea Harper added 9 points each.

Coal Grove took a 13-6 lead in the first quarter as Adkins scored 7 points.

Knipp scored 7 points in the second quarter as Rock Hill rallied to tie the game at the half 25-25.

Adkins had 11 points as the Lady Hornets outscored the Redwomen 20-8 in the third quarter to push ahead 45-33. Hanshaw scored 6 of Rock Hill’s total.

Coal Grove outscored Rock Hill 37-15 in the second half.

“Adkins and Amanda Collins picked up two fouls in the first quarter but they did a great job of not picking up any fouls the rest of the game,” said Roach. “Ashley Goad came off the bench and played like a senior should play – solid.”

Adkins made 10 of 12 free throws including 5 of 5 in the fourth quarter.

“We came out in the second half with a better mind-set and started making everything. Adkins was amazing. When they started fouling her, she went to the line and knocked down the free throws,” said Roach.

On Saturday, Rock Hill plays in the Wellston Holiday Tournament.

Rock Hill 6 19 8 7 = 40

Coal Grove 13 12 20 17 = 62

ROCK HILL (3-2, 0-2): Chelsea Harper 2 1 2-2 9, Morgan Damron 0 0 0-1 0, Kelsey Blagg 1 0 1-3 3, Brook Knipp 4 1 5-8 16, Sara Travis 0 0 0-0 0, Katie Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Tommi Butler 0 0 3-6 3, Brooke Hanshaw 3 1 0-0 9. Totals: 13-47 11-20 40. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: Johnson, Hanshaw.

COAL GROVE (5-1, 2-0): Jacy Jones 4 1 2-3 13, Deanna Bentley 0 0 2-2 2, Katey Erwin 2 0 1-4 5, Ashley Adkins 4 4 10-12 30, Ashley Goad 1 0 2-2 4, Cheyenne Bellomy 0 0 1-3 1, Amanda Collins 1 0 1-1 3, Morgan Sites 0 0 1-2 1, Darrien Hankins 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 13 5 21-31 62. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.