SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock never enjoyed a lead Tuesday against Hickory.

For Rockets coach Phil Bushre, it also felt that way.

The Hornets were nursing a five-point lead through three quarters, but the Hornets responded by scoring eight of the first 10 points in the fourth quarter to post a 66-55 Region 5 boys basketball victory.

"I didn't think we handled their runs well," said Bushre. "I thought we had some runs, but when they scored a couple in a row, we didn't come right back.

"It felt like we played behind all night."

The Hornets (9-6, 3-4) used a 22-point first quarter to build a 39-29 halftime lead. Matt Durisko tallied 15 of those points to help carry the Hornets into halftime.

"Inside has been our strength this year with Durisko and Garrett Trosch. But that was the first time this season we had to attack a zone," said Hickory coach Nick Cannone. "If we get it inside, good things happen."

After a 3-pointer by Aaron Banas with 3:39 left in the third quarter, the Hornets held an 11-point advantage.

The Rockets, however, closed out the quarter strong. Brian Giesler, who had a team-high 21 points, sank a free throw, and Brent Ayers and Alec McDeavitt added baskets to make it 44-38.

Another Banas trey bumped the Hickory advantage to nine, but Ayers scored with 32 seconds left and McDeavitt had a steal and a score with one second left to make it 47-42.

The Hornets opened the fourth quarter with a score by Durisko and a free throw by Nick DiBartolomeo.

Gordon countered with a bucket, but Trosch scored and Banas nailed his third 3-pointer of the second half to give Hickory a 55-44 lead with 4:37 remaining.

The Rockets (6-8, 1-6) could draw no closer than eight points the rest of the way.

The Hornets used a balanced attack as Durisko dropped in 22 points while DiBartolomeo added 12 points, Banas 11 and Trosch 10.

"We knew about Durisko. He's one of the top region players," said Bushre. "He'll get the shots and score, but we have to handle it."

Ryan Thompson scored with 16 seconds remaining to give the Rockets a 35-34 junior varsity victory.

HICKORY 66Matt Votino 1 6-6 8, Aaron Banas 4 0-0 11, Nick DiBartolomeo 4 3-6 12, Garrett Trosch 5 0-0 10, Matt Durisko 9 4-6 22, Vince Mastrian 0 2-2 2, Elrico Jones 0 0-0 0, Justin Lenhart 0 1-2 1.

Totals: 23 16-22 66.

SLIPPERY ROCK 55Ryan Gordon 4 1-3 11, Alec McDeavitt 5 0-0 10, Justin Bennett 0 2-2 2, Brian Giesler 8 1-2 21, Brent Ayers 3 0-0 6, Sean White 0 1-2 1, Ryan Thompson 0 0-0 0, Caleb Whitney 2 0-0 4.

Totals: 22 5-9 55.

Hickory 22 17 8 19—66Slippery Rock 15 14 13 13—553-point goals: Hickory 4 (Banas 3, DiBartolomeo); Slippery Rock 6 (Gielser 4, Gordon 2).

JV: Slippery Rock, 35-34

Thursday: George Jr. Republic at Slippery Rock