River 55, Bridgeport 41

The Lady River Pilots defeated the Lady Bulldogs 55-41 Jan. 14 in Bridgeport, starting the game with an 11-4 run and ending it with 16-8 run that also ended Bridgeport’s 12-game winning streak.

River held a 17-7 lead in the second period before their hosts went on an 11-0 scoring streak to retake the advantage. However, the Lady Pilots would ultimately finish the first-half with 12 points to grab a 27-22 halftime advantage.

River scored eight straight points to open the second half and coasted the rest of the way to gain the nod.

Lady Pilot Jensen Caretti led three double-figure scorers with 22 points, while Laken Ramsay and Cassidy McCullough teamed for 28 points and 12 rebounds.

In addition, Haylee Bowers notched a three count, while Emile Weaver swished a pair of charity tosses for the top-ranked OVAC Class 3-A River Pilots.

River 75, St. Clairsville 45

After dropping a game to Shadyside Jan. 10, the Lady Pilots took on St. Clairsville, winning 75-45 in Red Devil territory Jan. 12.

The Lady Devils scored the game’s first four points, but the Pilots racked up the next 11 markers before St. Clairsville closed the gap to 14-12 after one period of play.

River made a series of runs before heading into the locker room with a 36-24 advantage.

The Lady Pilots forced countless turnovers in the third period to break away from the Devils, 58-28, after three eight-minute quarters and waltzed to their 13th win against only three losses.

Laken Ramsay netted 24 points, including a pair of triples, while Cassisdy McCullough followed with eight deuces. Landyn Ramsay tacked on 11 points, while Haylee Bowers and Jensen Caretti each recorded nine markers and pulled down seven rebounds. Emile Weaver, Hannah Jones, and Myla Smith each sank a deuce for the rest of the Lady Pilot points.

Shadyside 61, River 49

In that Jan. 10 game, Shadyside keyed on a 15-5 second-period score to get by River 61-49 at Shadyside.

Caretti paced the Pilots with 20 markers, while McCullough and Bowers scored 13 and 12 points, respectively. Laken Ramsay was held to only four markers.

Shadyside and River each netted 18 field goals. The Tigers made 10 three pointers, while the Pilots failed to score one that decided the final tally. Shadyside also converted 15-17 free throw, while River netted 12-23.

River 46, Fort Frye 42

River Pilots Cassidy McCullough and Jensen Caretti netted the last points of the game with a pair of charity tosses in overtime to beat the Fort Frye Lady Cadets Jan. 7 by the score of 46-42 at R. L. Potts Gymnasium.

After a nail-biting first half, McCullough let one loose from beyond the arc right before the end of the third period buzzer to give the hosts a comfortable 33-21 lead with one period to go.

Haylee Bowers opened the fourth frame with a conventional three-point play to push the Pilots to their largest lead of the night. However, the Cadets had other plans and would make a run to pull to within a deuce with 26 seconds remaining in regulation.

Pilot Laken Ramsay converted one of two free throws to give the home team a one-point lead. But, the Lady Cadets converted a three- point play the conventional way to send the game into overtime.

To open the overtime, Bowers and Caretti would each drain a deuce, while the Cadets answered both times with a pair of two-pointers of their own.

After McCullough drained a pair at the charity line, the Cadets had a costly turnover. However, the Lady Pilots missed a pair of free throws that could have closed the door. But – never fear – Caretti was there and grabbed the loose ball, but was fouled in doing so. A pair of good free throws put the game on ice for the Lady Pilots.

Caretti posted a double-double, 15 points and 10 rebounds, to pace the Lady Pilots, while Ramsay netted a dozen, including a threeball. Bowers and McCullough tallied nine and eight points, respectively, while Emile Weaver swished a deuce.

The Lady Pilots will travel to Shadyside Jan. 10 to take on the Lady Tigers at 7:30 p.m., right after the junior varsity game.