COAL GROVE – Once the Chesapeake Panthers got up on their toes, they were off and running.

Saturday, January 22, 2000

COAL GROVE – Once the Chesapeake Panthers got up on their toes, they were off and running.

Shaking off a lackluster first half, the Panthers turned on the running game the second half and raced to a 78-46 rout of the Coal Grove Hornets Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Chesapeake led by only nine points at the half before exploding for 44 second half points and limiting Coal Grove to 21.

"We were a little sluggish the first half. Early on we were just kind of flat-footed," Chesapeake coach Norm Persin said. "Then we had a two or three minute spurt that got us going."

Zeb Best scored 18 points, Anthony Delimpo had 16 points and eight rebounds, and Bobby Barbour added 14 points to lead the Panthers.

Justin Saunders added eight assists and Josh Waugh had seven rebounds and three steals.

"Saunders passed the ball extremely well. Matt White did some good things taking ball to basket, Delimpo shot the ball well, and Best had a nice second half," said Persin. "And Barbour has been as consistent as anyone we have shooting the ball. I think he’s been in double figures every game."

Chesapeake, ranked 8th in the Associated Press Div. III poll, is now 11-1 overall and leads the OVC with a 4-0 record.

Coal Grove (0-12, 0-4) was led by Ryan Young with 11 points and Jason Winters had 10.

"Coal Grove is playing hard and they’re doing what’s asked of them," Persin said.

Barbour scored 11 of his points the first quarter as Chesapeake took a 19-14 lead.

Ahead 34-25 at the half, Chesapeake pulled away the third quarter as Delimpo and Best scored six points each to help build a 56-37 cushion.

Matt Miller came off the bench to score eight points the fourth quarter as Chesapeake continued to add to its lead.

The Panthers play in the Huntington St. Joe Invitational at 7 p.m. Wednesday against the host school. Coal Grove hosts Raceland, Ky., Tuesday.