LYNN HAVEN — If there was any lasting certainty from Rutherford’s 61-53 boys basketball win over host Mosley on Friday night perhaps it was that a Rams’ squad that has forged an identity from winning ugly stayed in character.

Rutherford, 13-5, won its seventh consecutive game and more importantly broke a tie with the Dolphins atop the District 1-6A standings at 3-0.

Mosley, 7-7, is 2-1 with a rematch remaining on Jan. 30 to firmly decide the seeds for the upcoming district tournament. It is difficult, however, to imagine the schools not finishing 1-2 with district members Bay and Arnold often struggling mightily.

Friday night at Jim Redfern Gymnasium it was a struggle throughout for Rutherford. But the Rams, who have only one pure scorer in senior Lorenzo Ferrell, also have a number of identical parts that head coach Rhondie Ross can use interchangeably.

While Mosley counterpart Lee Loper used nine players over 32 minutes, the Dolphins seemed harmed more by foul trouble than the Rams, and in a game with 52 personals that indeed was a factor.

Otherwise, inactivity would have fit nicely into a scenario where the Dolphins had only played once during the new year and were coming off a 12-day layoff extended by a weather cancellation earlier in the week.

By contrast, Rutherford is now 6-0 for the month of January. Yet it was Mosley taking an early 14-5 lead when Antonio Bellamy scored inside at the 1:03 mark of the first quarter.

The Rams didn’t gain their first lead until Eddie Dubose made the second of two free throws with 5:08 before halftime.

That made it 22-21 for Rutherford, and the Rams never surrendered their edge the remainder of the game.

Despite opening a 41-26 bulge when Ferrell, who led all scorers with 28 points made his fifth and final 3-pointer, Rutherford never was able to put Mosley away.

Credit a game with a constant parade to the foul line — 78 combined free throws attempted — for helping disrupt extended periods of continuity.

"We never really found a flow I don’t think," Ross said. "We’ve got eight or nine first-year varsity players.

"What we do have is a lot of guys about the same size and that gives us some versatility. A lot of utility guys. We don’t always play pretty."

Neither team lacked for effort, although both labored in the offensive zone. Rutherford converted only 14 field goals and Mosley just 13. 

The Dolphins battled down the stretch, using a 12-4 run to get within 45-38 after three quarters.

When Stacy Burse canned three free throws to open the fourth quarter the Dolphins were within four points at 45-41. Despite multiple chances to do so, however, they never could shave the deficit to make it a one-possession game.

Ferrell was the only player in double figures for Rutherford with Eddie Dubose adding nine points.

Burse had 16 points and Bellamy added 15 before fouling out for the Dolphins. Jordan Bullard swished a trio of 3-pointers and finished with 10 points.

RUTHERFORD (61)

Jackson 2 2-2 6, Ferrell 6 11-18 28, Fisher 0 0-0 0, Spani 0 0-0 0, Daniels 2 1-4 5, Sims 2 0-0 4, Edwards 0 2-4 2, Martin 0 5-6 5, Dubose 2 4-6 9, Bryan 0 0-0 0, Hines 0 2-2 2. Totals: 14 27-40 61.

MOSLEY (53)

Dominguez 2 3-4 7, Wodford 0 0-0 0, Burse 4 7-13 16, Bellamy 3 9-11 15, Peace 0 1-2 1, Bullard 3 1-2 10, Echeverry 1 1-4 3, Wright 0 0-0 0, Bullock 0 1-2 1. Totals: 13 23-38 53.

Rutherford;13;20;12;16 —;61

Mosley;17;8;13;15 —;53

3-point goals: Rutherford 6 (Ferrell 5, Dubose), Mosley 4 (Bullard 3, Burse). Total fouls: Rutherford 25, Mosley 27. Fouled out: Mosley (Bellamy). Technical fouls: Rutherford (Sims 2, ejection), Mosley (Burse, Wodford, Coach Loper, bench).