GALLIPOLIS - It was a tough test without any study time for the Chesapeake Panthers, and they still passed with flying colors.

With only one starter returning and playing on the road against a veteran Gallipolis team, Chesapeake knocked off the Blue Devils 59-44 Friday night.

"We played pretty well," Panthers coach Norm Persin said. "We shot it well, we took care of the ball, we guarded them, and the big thing is we rebounded. We did what we had to do."

Chesapeake had three players in double figures led by P.J. Rase with 18 points. Trent Finley had 15 points that included four 3-pointers while Daniel Thompson got 12 points. Finley also had nine rebounds and Jeremy Miller six.

Tom Bose and Jeb Payton scored 10 points each for Gallipolis. Donnie Johnson was held to just six points.

Finley hit a pair of 3-pointers as Chesapeake jumped ahead 15-9 in the first quarter. The Panthers extended the lead to 28-21 at the half.

Rase knocked down 7 points in the third quarter and Chesapeake outscored Gallipolis 21-10 to build a 49-31 cushion.

"We made the extra pass. We had guys open and we made the extra pass to get a better look. Rebounding was remarkable because of their size. That was the key," Persin said. "This is a good win, especially to win up there."

The Panthers play at Portsmouth next Friday.

Chesapeake15132110-59

Gallipolis9121013-44

CHESAPEAKE (1-0):

Brandon Hall 0 0 0-0 0, Mike Stapleton 0 0 0-0 0, Daniel Thompson 4 0 4-4 12, Justin Porter 1 1 0-0 5, P.J. Rase 4 3 1-2 18, Trent Finley 1 4 1-2 15, Greg Boster 0 0 0-0 0, Andy Stapleton 1 0 5-6 7, Jeremy Miller 10 0-1 2. Totals:

20-45 (8-17)

11-15

59. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 33 (Finley 9, Miller 6). Assists: 12 (Thompson 3). Steals: 9 (A. Stapleton 3, Miller 3). Turnovers: 8.

GALLIPOLIS (0-1):

Jeb Payton 1 2 10, Eric Taylor 0 0 0-0 0, Donnie Johnson 3 0 0-0 6, James Haggerty 0 1 0-0 3, Steven Robinson 0 2 0-0 6, Tom Bose 3 0 4-6 10, Nick Craft 3 0 1-3 7, Zach Shawver 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 16-47 (5-19) 7-11

44. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.