COAL GROVE, Ohio — The River Valley boys basketball team dropped its fifth straight decision Friday night during a 55-54 setback to host Coal Grove in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup in Lawrence County.

The visiting Raiders (1-7, 0-3 OVC) shot 50 percent from the field and outrebounded the Hornets (8-2, 2-1) by a 26-23 overall margin, but the guests missed a few opportunities down the stretch that ultimately cost them the game.

RVHS led 52-51 with 1:30 seconds left in regulation, but the hosts countered with a basket to take a 53-52 edge with a minute remaining. The Raiders fouled Alex Bare with 30 seconds left, and Bare missed the front end of a one-and-bonus situation — giving River Valley possession with a chance for the win.

The Raiders, however, turned the ball over on their ensuing chance, which led to a Hornet layup and a 55-52 edge with 15 seconds left. RVHS, needing a three-pointer to tie, settled for a successful two-pointer at the buzzer — allowing CGHS to escape with the one-point triumph.

River Valley committed 24 turnovers in the setback and made 22-of-44 field goal attempts, including a 5-of-11 effort from three-point territory for 45 percent. The guests were also 5-of-9 at the free throw line for 56 percent.

The Hornets, conversely, were 23-of-53 from the field for 43 percent and also netted 6-of-10 charity tossess for 60 percent. The hosts also committed 18 turnovers in the contest.

Coal Grove led 11-8 after eight minutes of play, but RVHS answered with an 18-15 spurt in the second canto to knot things up at 26-all at the intermission. The hosts went on an 18-13 run in the third stanza for a 44-39 edge headed into the finale, where the Raiders closed regulation with a 15-11 run.

Chris Clemente led RVHS with 13 points, followed by Derek Flint with 11 points and Ethan Dovenbarger with 10 markers. Aaron Harrison added eight points, while Austin Lewis chipped in four points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Trey Noble and Joseph Loyd both contributed three points apiece, while Kyle Bays rounded out the scoring with two markers. Noble also added a team-best eight assists in the losing effort.

Jordan Beals paced the Hornets with a game-high 18 points, followed by Bare with 14 points and Conor Markins with 13 markers.

River Valley returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Chesapeake in an OVC contest at 6 p.m.

Coal Grove 55, River Valley 54

RV 8-18-13-15 — 54

CG 11-15-18-11 — 55

RIVER VALLEY (1-7, 0-3 OVC): Derek Flint 4 2-2 11, Kyle Bays 1 0-0 2, Chris Clemente 4 3-3 13, Trey Noble 1 0-1 3, Aaron Harrison 4 0-0 8, Joseph Loyd 1 0-0 3, Austin Lewis 2 0-0 4, Ethan Dovenbarger 5 0-3 10. TOTALS: 22 5-9 54. Three-point goals: 5 (Clemente 2, Flint, Noble, Loyd). Field Goals: 22-44 (.500). Rebounds: 26. Turnovers: 24.

COAL GROVE (8-2, 2-1 OVC): Jordan Beals 9 0-0 18, Alex Bare 5 3-6 14, Colten Bryant 1 0-0 2, Conor Markins 4 3-4 13, Bryan Steele 1 0-0 2, Kyle Estep 3 0-0 6. TOTALS: 23 6-10 55. Three-point goals: 3 (Markins 2, Bare). Field Goals: 23-53 (.434). Rebounds: 23. Turnovers: 18.