CHESAPEAKE — Big problems call for big solutions.

The big problem facing the Rock Hill Redwomen was Chesapeake’s 6-foot-3 senior center Sarah Rucker.

The solution was a big defensive performance that gave Rock Hill a 41-38 win over the Lady Panthers Thursday in a key Ohio Valley Conference game.

Rock Hill coach Matt Fulks used Anna Bridges and Kayla Skaggs in front of Rucker and rotated Bobbi Harper and Elisha Daniels behind the center.

That left four Lady Panthers to be guarded by three defensive players. Fulks utilized Brooke Long, Gretchen Dickess, Ashley Jenkins and Amy Layne as his cover guys.

“We did a pretty good job on Rucker. If Rucker gets her hands on the ball on the block, she’s going to score. You have to put pressure on them,” Fulks said.

“I can’t praise Anna Bridges and Kayla Skaggs and Bobbi Harper and Elisha Daniels enough, and our guards had to cover four people. All of the girls who came in did a good job.”

Harper led Rock Hill (3-3, 2-0) with 18 points. Long scored 15 points and Bridges had 8 as only three Redwomen score.

“We had just enough offense to get the job done,” Fulks said. “Harper penetrated well and got shots and got to finish line at the foul line.”

Harper and Bridges had 6 points each in the first quarter as Rock Hill took a 14-11 lead.

Harper had 7 points in the second quarter and it was 25-22 at the break.

Long knocked down 9 points in the third quarter as Rock Hill extended its lead to 37-32.

Rucker had 6 points in the fourth quarter as Chesapeake got within 3 points, but Long had 4 points and Rucker’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer was off and the Redwomen came away with their third straight win.

Chesapeake (3-2, 1-1) was led by Rucker with 12 points and Rachel Harris scored 10.

Rock Hill1411124=41

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ROCK HILL (3-3, 2-0): Brooke Long 6 1 0-1 15, Bridges 3 0 2-2 8, Elista Daniels 0 0 0-0 0, Ashley Jenkins 0 0 0-0 0, Amy Layne 0 0 0-0 0, Gretchen Dickess 0 0 0-0 0, Bobbi Harper 5 0 8-10 18, Skaggs 0 0 0-1 0. Totals: 14

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10-14

41. Fouls: 7. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (3-2, 1-1): Rachel Harris 5 0 0-0 10, Allison Chapman 0 0 0-0 0, Paige Nelson 2 0 0-0 4, Courtney Heffner 2 0 1-1 5, Katie Bennett 0 0, Lexy Staton 2 1 0-0 7, Sarah Rucker 5 0 2-3 12. Totals: 16

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3-4

38. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Staton. Technicals: coach McClung.