COAL GROVE - When the Chesapeake Lady Panthers turned up the defensive pressure, it was loud and clear.

The Lady Panthers broke open a close game at halftime by using a sticky defense as they beat the Coal Grove Lady Hornets 43-28 Saturday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Chesapeake led by just three points at the half, then held Coal Grove to nine points in the second half to finish the regular season 11-9 overall and tied for second in the OVC at 7-3.

"The second half we turned up the defensive pressure. Our press really hurt them," Belville said.

Lisa Perry had 13 points, six assists, and five steals to lead Chesapeake. Brittany Boyle scored 10 points, Candace Dickerson nine, and Jennifer Rice and Joanna Delimpo had seven rebounds each.

Chelsea Markins scored 11 points and Maggie Young eight for Coal Grove (10-10, 1-9).

Markins had a 3-pointer as Coal Grove took a 9-8 first quarter lead. Rice and Boyle each hit 3-pointers for Chesapeake.

Perry had five points including a 3-pointer as Chesapeake went up 22-11 in the second quarter. But Markins had eight straight points as the Lady Hornets drew within 22-19 at the break.

Then came the second half and Coal Grove managed just six points in the third quarter and three in the fourth quarter.

Dickerson scored seven of her points in the third quarter as Chesapeake took a 31-25 lead.

"Candace really gave us a boost, especially the 3-pointer she hit that put us up six," Belville said.

Boyle and Perry scored six points each in the fourth quarter as the defense took charge.

"Our press forced a lot of turnovers in the fourth quarter and took them out of rhythm," Belville said. "Our post players did a better job keeping Coal Grove off the boards."

In the Division III sectional at Lucasville Valley, the Lady Panthers play North Adams at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday while Coal Grove faces South Point at 5 p.m. Monday.

Chesapeake814912-43

Coal Grove91063-28

CHESAPEAKE (11-9, 7-3):

Candace Dickerson 2 1 2-2 9, Lisa Perry 3 1 4-6 13, Veronica Perko 1 0 0-0 2, Brittany Boyle 2 1 3-4 10, Noelle Wood 1 0 0-0 2, Alysson Baise 0 0 0-0 0, Joy Mayenchein 0 0 0-0 0, Joanna Delimpo 1 0 0-1 2, Jennifer Rice 0 1 2-2 5. Totals: 17

(4)

11-15

43. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. Rebounds: 36 (Delimpo 7, Rice 7). Assists: 11 (Perry 6). Turnovers: 9. Steals: 11 (Perry 5).

COAL GROVE (10-10, 1-9):

Samantha Zornes 1 0 0-0 2, Holli Swarts 2 0 0-0 4, Tracy Tackett 0 0 1-2 1, Maggie Young 4 0 0-0 8, Chelsea Markins 2 2 1-1 11, Samantha Hall 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 10

2

2-3

28. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None.