PROCTORVILLE — In pizza terminology, the Fairland Dragons were “thin crust” last season. This year, it’s more like “deep dish.”

Depth was the key once again for the Dragons as they beat the River Valley Raiders 68-63 Friday in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams.

“Tonight was a good example of how deep were are. We went to the bench and actually added two points to our lead at one time,” Fairland coach Chad Belville said.

“(Dustin) Bumgardner played well and Zach Pemberton did a nice job and Cole Hatfield hit two big shots for a freshman.”

Michael Lamb and Hatfield both sat out

much of the second quarter due to foul trouble. However, the Dragons were able to extend a 3-point lead to 35-26 at the half.

Lamb had seven points and Josh Johnson six as Fairland took an 18-15 first quarter lead. River Valley stayed close on a pair of 3-pointers by Jason Jones and a 3-pointer and 3-point play by Michael Cordell.

Adam Fuller got eight points in the second quarter as Fairland outscored the Raiders 17-11 as River Valley hit just 2 of 13 field goal attempts.

“We got in our press and defensively we played better. Offensively we were patient and took our time,” Belville said.

Despite building a 14-point lead early in the third quarter as Bumgardner scored six points, River Valley rallied and cut the Fairland lead to 51-44 at the end of the quarter.

Johnson sank two foul shots and Fuller converted a 3-point play to give Fairland a 66-60 lead with 20 seconds to play, but Matt Nibert hit a 3-pointer to get the Raiders within 66-63.

Hatfield was fouled and hit both free throws to seal the victory.

Fuller scored 18 points, Lamb 15 and Johnson 12 to pace the Dragons (3-1). Fuller also had nine rebounds and Lamb seven.

River Valley15111819=63

Fairland18171617=68

RIVER VALLEY (2-2, 0-1): Cory Ehman 1-6 (2-5) 3-6 11, Jason Jones 1-6 (2-10) 1-5 9, Brian Morrow 1-9 (0-2) 3-4 5, Ian Lewis 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0,Matt Nibert 0-1 (2-2) 2-2 8, Michael Cordell 5-6 (1-3) 2-4 15, Ryan Henry 2-7 (1-1) 6-12 13, Scott Ward 1-1 (0-0) 0-0 2. Totals: 11-39 (8-23) 17-33

. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 24 (Henry 7). Assists: 5. Turnovers: 20.

FAIRLAND (3-1, 1-0):

Kyle Wise 0-3 0-0 0-0 0, Josh Johnson 5-12 0-0 2-2 12, Adam Fuller 5-9 (1-1) 5-6 18, Rich Staggs 1-1 (0-0) 0-0 2, Cole Hatfield 1-3 (0-3) 3-5 5, J.B. Smith 1-3 (0-0) 0-0 2, Chris Barnett 1-2 (0-1) 0-0 2, Zach Pemberton 2-4 (0-1) 0-1 4, Michael Lamb 7-13 (0-2) 1-4 15, Dustin Bumgardner 4-4 (0-0) 0-0 8, Zach Jordan 0-0 (0-1) 0-0 0, Ethan Long 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0,Matt Burd 0-0 (0-0) 0-0 0. Totals 27-53 (1-9)

9-16

68. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 14. Rebounds: (37 (Fuller 9, Lamb 7). Assists: 12 (Hatfield 4).