SOUTH POINT — The South Point Pointers lost the pace, then they lost the lead. But when all was said and done, they avoided losing the game.

The Pointers rallied late to edge the Rock Hill Redmen 54-51 on Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We got the pace we wanted in the first quarter, but they did a nice job of slowing it down and getting the pace they wanted,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes.

“We got the lead and again we gave it up. But the good thing is we’re finding ways to come back and win the games.”

Rock Hill (4-6, 1-2) lost yet another close game. The Redmen have lost six games this season by a combined 14 points.

Redmen coach Bob Wilds said poor outside shooting was the biggest culprit in the loss. They were only 4 of 20 from behind the 3-point line for 20 percent.

“We’re just not hitting from the outside. It’s killing us,” said coach Wilds. “I thought Jared Bruce played well defensively. We just have to knock down some shots.”

Brandon Barnes led the Pointers (5-4, 1-2) with a game-high 23 points. Austin Jeffreys scored 17 points while Josh Payne grabbed 7 rebounds and Tre Campbell pulled down 6 boards.

“Campbell did a nice job defensively in the fourth quarter. A lot of credit goes to Payne and Campbell for their rebounding and defense,” said coach Barnes.

Andy Knipp had 19 points and 15 rebounds for Rock Hill while Will McCollister added 13 points and 8 rebounds. Laden Delawder scored 8 points and Trey Wilds had 5 assists and both of Rock Hill’s steals.

Brandon Barnes was on fire as the game began. He scored 14 of South Point’s 20 first quarter points as he drained four 3-pointers. The lead was 20-12 at the end of the quarter.

South Point led 31-20 at the break with McCollister scoring 8 points to keep the Redmen close.

Knipp had 9 points in the third quarter as Rock Hill got within 41-35.

Delawder hit a pair of trifectas in the fourth quarter and the Redmen took a lead with two minutes left. But Jeffreys converted 4 of 6 from the line down the stretch to give the Pointers the win.

The game was part of a fundraiser for Isaiah Adkins, a South Point Elementary first-grade student suffering from a rare disease called Niemann-Pick.

“It made for a good atmosphere. It took the edge off the game. And made everyone realize what is important,” said coach Barnes. “Coach Wilds and his team were really classy. I appreciated all they did.”

On Tuesday, Fairland is at Rock Hill and South Point hosts Coal Grove.

Rock Hill 12 8 15 16 = 51

South Point 20 11 10 13 = 54

ROCK HILL (4-6, 1-2): Drew Kidd 1 1 0-0 5, Evan Morris 0 0 0-0 0, Will McCollister 6 0 1-2 13, Austin Collins 0 0 2-2 2, Trey Wilds 0 1 0-1 3, Jared Bruce 0 0 1-2 1, Laden Delawder 1 2 0-1 8, Andrew Schwab 0 0 0-0 0, Andy Knipp 9 0 1-4 19. Totals: 21-50 5-12 51. 3-point goals: 4-20. Rebounds: 10-25=35 (Knipp 15, McCollister 8). Assists: 12 (Wilds 5). Steals: 2 (Wilds 2). Turnovers: 12. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

SOUTH POINT (5-4, 1-2): Austin Jeffreys 5 0 7-16 17, John Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Tre Campbell 1 0 0-0 2, Austin Majher 1 1 1-1 6, Josh Payne 0 0 0-0 0, Brandon Baranes 4 5 0-1 23, Kurt Adams 0 0 0-0 0, Audric Harlow 1 0 0-0 2, Brandon Boggs 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 14 6 8-18 54. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.