By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

SOUTH POINT — The Fairland Dragons had their own version of Jump Street.

The Dragons jumped out to a big lead early and cruised to a 66-41 Ohio Valley Conference win over the South Point Pointers on Tuesday.

“We came out early and jumped on them and just began to pull away,” said Fairland coach Nathan Speed. “The big thing is we played good defense.”

Evan Salyers had 18 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Dragons who improved to 12-3 and 5-1 in the OVC. Eric Riley had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.

“They were trying to take away Salyers and Fuller and Eric got some open looks and knocked down the shots. He did a good job,” said Speed.

Austin Jeffreys scored 18 points to lead the Pointers (6-8, 2-4). Brandon Barnes added 10 points despite suffering a twisted ankle early in the game.

“When Brandon turned his ankle he couldn’t get any lift and it took its toll. He and Austin are the bulk of our offense and that kind of limited us,” said Pointers’ coach Chris Barnes.

Riley and Salyers scored 8 points each in the first quarter as the Dragons took an 18-9 lead.

Jeffreys had 10 points in the second quarter, but the Dragons scored off three straight turnovers at the end of the half to go up 39-23 at the half. Riley scored 7 more points in the quarter.

Fairland’s defense limited South Point to just 9 points in each of the final two quarters. Alec Warner scored 9 points in the fourth quarter for the Dragons.

Fairland 18 21 15 12 = 66

South Point 9 14 9 9 = 41

FAIRLAND (12-3, 5-1): Thayer Flynn 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Cody Midkiff 1-2 1-3 0-0 5, Alec Warner 3-5 1-2 0-0 9, Jacob Warner 0-0 1-1 0-0 3, Luke Phillips 0-1 0-0 0-0 0, Eric Riley 7-11 1-3 0-1 17, Kyle Raines 0-3 0-0 0-0 0, Evan Maddox 0-1 0-1 0-0 0, Blaine Fuller 2-6 0-1 3-6 7, Josh Goodman 0-0 0-1 0-0 0, Nathan Campbell 1-5 1-2 0-0 5, Evan Salyers 9-21 0-1 0-0 18, Ryan Wooten 1-1 0-0 0-0 2. Totals: 29-71 3-7 66. 3-point goals: 5-15. Rebounds: 47 (Salyers 15, Goodman 10, Riley 5). Assists: 16 (Campbell 6). Steals: 6 (Riley 4). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.

SOUTH POINT (6-8, 2-4): Austin Jeffreys 3-10 3-9 3-4 18, John Johnson 1-1 0-0 0-0 2, Evan Williams 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Tre Campbell 0-1 0-0 1-2 1, Austin Majher 0-2 0-0 1-2 1, Alex Whitt 0-1 0-1 0-0 0, James Leonard 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Josh Payne 1-6 0-1 0-0 2, Brandon Barnes 4-14 0-7 2-2 10, Kurt Adams 0-2 1-2 0-0 3, Audric Harlow 1-1 0-1 0-0 2, Brady Rickard 0-0 0-0 0-0 0, Brandon Boggs 1-1 0-0 0-0 2. Totals: 15-59 7-11 41. 3-point goals: 4-20. Rebounds: 30. Assists: 3. Steals: 4. Turnovers: 14. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.