By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — “Slip slidin’ away

Slip slidin’ away

You know the nearer your destination

The more you’re slip slidin’ away.”

— Paul Simon song “Slip Slidin’ Away.”

Coal Grove was only one quarter from a big road win on Tuesday, but instead of a win the Hornets saw an 11-point lead slip away.

The Portsmouth Trojans erased the deficit and tied the game and won 56-53 in double overtime over the Hornets in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Trailing 32-21 after three quarters, Portsmouth rallied in the fourth quarter to outscore Coal Grove 21-10 that tied the game and sent it into overtime.

Dae’quan Woods hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 8 points, Dee Parker also scored 8 points and Malachi Loper had 4 points for the Trojans.

Owen Johnson had 6 points and the Hornets were 4 of 8 from the foul line as the Hornets only managed 10 points in the quarter.

In the first overtime, the Hornets got 4 points from Kody Harmon and Johnson hit a basket for 6 points while Woods and Loper hit 3-pointers for the Trojans 6 points and it was 42-all.

Coal Grove was only 2 of 6 from the foul line in the first overtime.

Woods hit another 3-pointer and went 2 of 2 from the foul line with Loper having a basket and was 1 of 2 at the line for the Trojans’ 8 points.

Johnson had 3 points and Harmon had a basket for the Hornets total.

Rylan Smith hit a pair of 3-pointers and both Jake Brammer and Harmon each hit 3-pointers as Coal Grove took a 15-7 first quarter lead.

The scoring slowed down in the second quarter as Coal Grove outscored Portsmouth 6-4 to lead 21-11 at the half.

Coal Grove got 6 points from Johnson and a 3-pointer from Harmon to outscore the Trojans 11-10 in the third quarter.

Loper scored 5 points and Woods had a triple for the Trojans.

Johnson led Coal Grove (7-10, 2-9) with 19 points. Harmon scored 13 and Smith had 11 points.

Woods scored 23 points and Loper 17 for the Trojans.

Coal Grove 15 6 11 10 6 5 = 53

Portsmouth 7 4 10 21 6 8 = 56

COAL GROVE (7-10, 2-9): Noah Holmes 0 0 0-0 0, Rylan Smith 1 2 3-4 11, Braydon Klaiber 0 0 2-4 2, Bradley Klaiber 1 0 1-2 3, Kody Harmon 2 2 3-6 13, Kamryn Hall 0 0 0-0 0, Cameron Chaffins 0 0 0-0 0, Jake Brammer 1 1 0-0 5, Owen Johnson 9 0 1-4 19. Totals: 14 5 8-18 53. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Brad. Klaiber, Bray. Klaiber.

PORTSMOUTH (7-10, 4-6): Dee Parker 4 0 0-0 8, Dae’quan Woods 2 5 4-4 23, Malachi Loper 6 1 2-4 17, Kayleb Johnson 2 0 1-2 5, Olynshay McKinley 0 0 1-2 1, Crisshawn Dukes 0 0 0-0 0, Jayden Brewer 1 0 0-2 2. Totals: 15 6 8-14 56. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.