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Published: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 / Updated: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 10:06 PM

Lady Falcons dominate N.C. rivals

FORT MILL -- 

The Nation Ford Lady Falcons improved to 3-2 on the season with wins over N.C. teams Marvin Ridge and Providence last week.

Nation Ford used a 14-point third quarter to pull away from Marvin Ridge. After trailing 23-17 at the half, the Lady Falcons took the lead in the third quarter and didn’t look back as they held Marvin Ridge to just four points in the third quarter.

Earlier in the week, Nation Ford held off Providence 44-39 in overtime for the win.

The Falcons were led by junior Taylor Yarborough, who scored 21 points, four of which came in overtime after the teams ended regulation tied at 38.

In the extra period, Nation Ford went two-for-seven from the field, while Providence missed all nine shots and hit just one of four free throws.

“We talked about needing to step up and compete,” said Lady Falcons’ head coach Mike Smith. “I am very proud to have fallen behind and fought back.”

Nation Ford trailed 29-26 entering the final period, but outscored Providence 12-9 in the fourth quarter.

Both teams kept it close and Yarborough’s three-pointer gave Nation Ford a 34-31 lead about midway through the fourth.

Providence kept it close and fought back to take a 37-36 lead. After a free-throw by Providence gave them a two point lead, Lady Falcons junior Zippy Lincoln scored with 33.5 seconds left to tie the game at 38.

Nation Ford also took on Lancaster to start the week and open its Region III-AAAA schedule, but fell 53-21.

Nation Ford boys splits games

The Nation Ford Falcons boys’ basketball team was beaten by Marvin Ridge 68-58, but played better than during their first meeting, which saw them fall hard 80-64.

Nation Ford was led by junior Riley Hilton, who scored 20, and senior Carson Smith, who had 15 points.

Earlier in the week, the Falcons had no trouble in beating Providence 63-53.

Despite the score, the game wasn’t a close as Nation Ford carried a 57-24 lead into the final quarter.

The Falcons, playing most of their bench for the entire period, allowed Providence to score 29 points in the fourth.

“We played well in the first half,” said Falcons’ head coach Brian Turner. “It was a solid half and I am proud of the way we came out and answered the bell.”

Nation Ford hit five three-pointers in the game and was led by Smith, who scored 22 points. Hilton added 13 as well.

The Falcons opened the game up starting out 10-0 and shot 50 percent from the field in the first quarter as Smith had 11 of his 22 points in the opening period.

Providence struggled, hitting just two of 10 shots as Nation Ford outscored them 24-6 in the first quarter.

Nation Ford kept its foot on the gas, scoring 20 more points in the second quarter as Smith added eight more points and the Falcons forced Providence into turning the ball over more often.

Coming out with a 29 point halftime lead at 44-15, the Falcons started the second half on a 7-1 run to go up 51-16.

Hilton took over the majority of scoring duties for Nation Ford as he led the way in the third quarter scoring six of his 13 points.

Defensively, Nation Ford was able to contain Providence’s Giovanni Mack for most of the game holding him to just 21 points. In their first meeting, also a Nation Ford win, he dropped in 37 points.

Mack had just seven points until the final quarter where he scored 14 points.

It was a long week for Nation Ford, as they also opened Region IV-AAAA play against Lancaster winning on the road 61-59.

The Falcons will take on York on the road this week and Clover at home on Friday.