PEDRO, Ohio — Games are often said to be won and lost at the free throw line.

Thursday night, River Valley came up big at the charity stripe —and therefore reaped the rewards.

The Lady Raiders ended seven-game losing skid by connecting on 23-of-28 freebies — including 5-of-6 in overtime — for a 72-65 victory over host Rock Hill in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup in Lawrence County.

Both RVHS (2-9, 1-4 OVC) and the Redwomen (6-7, 0-5) were battling for their first league win of the season, and the game was a reflection of those efforts as the night progressed.

RHHS jumped out to a 15-9 lead after eight minutes of play, but the guests countered with a 20-6 surge in the second canto to claim a 29-21 edge headed into the intermission. The Redwomen made a strong charge after the break, as the hosts went on a 19-17 third quarter run to pull within 46-40 headed into the finale.

Rock Hill closed regulation with a 21-12 surge to take a 61-58 lead late in the game, but Cady Gilmore was fouled on a three-point attempt — sending the junior to the charity stripe. Gilmore nailed all three freebies, which forced overtime by tying the contest at 61.

RVHS had four different players score at least two points in the extra four-minute session, while Chelsea Harper mustered all four of the hosts’ overtime tally. The Lady Raiders hit 5-of-6 free throws and made three field goals, while the Redwomen made one basket and went 2-of-4 at the line.

Gilmore — who made 13-of-16 free throw attempts — led River Valley with a game-high 24 points, followed by Alli Neville with 23 points and Alexis Hurt with 10 markers. Beth Misner and Kaci Bryant respectively added seven and six points, while Shalin Comer rounded out the scoring with two markers.

The Lady Raiders were outrebounded 33-23 overall and also committed 21 turnovers, four more than the hosts’ tally of 17 giveaways.

Brook Knipp paced Rock Hill with 23 points, followed by Katie Johnson with 19 points and Harper with 18 markers. RHHS was 16-of-24 at the free throw line for 67 percent.

River Valley was at Meigs Saturday night and returns to action Monday when it hosts Vinton County in a non-conference matchup at 6 p.m.

River Valley 72, Rock Hill 65

RV9-20-17-15-11 — 72

RH15-6-19-21-4 — 65

RIVER VALLEY (2-9, 1-4 OVC): Chelsea Copley 0 0-0 0, Shalin Comer 1 0-0 2, Beth Misner 2 3-4 7, Alli Neville 9 3-4 23, Alexis Hurt 3 4-4 10, Cady Gilmore 5 13-16 24, Kaci Bryant 3 0-0 6. TOTALS: 23 23-28 72. Three-point goals: 3 (Neville 2, Gilmore). Rebounds: 23. Turnovers: 21.

ROCK HILL (6-7, 0-5 OVC): Chelsea Harper 5 7-13 18, Madison Damron 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Blagg 0 1-2 1, Brook Knipp 9 5-6 23, Sara Travis 0 0-0 0, Katie Johnson 8 3-3 19, Tommi Butler 1 0-0 2, Brooke Hanshaw 1 0-0 2, Brooklyn Massie 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 24 16-24 65. Three-point goals: 1 (Harper). Rebounds: 33. Turnovers: 17.