The Fairland Dragons found out what a little togetherness can do for you.

Working together in all phases of the game, the Dragons were able to win a pivotal Ohio Valley Conference game Friday as they handed the rival Chesapeake Panthers a 69-55 loss.

“We played offense together, we played defense together, we worked the ball together,” said Fairland coach John McClung. “Our team defense was outstanding. (Kyle) Webb got his points, but we held (Nathan) Copley to nine.”

Not only was the loss the first in the OVC for the league-leading Panthers (6-3, 4-1), but it kept the Dragons in the race at 3-2. They are 7-4 overall.

“That was a big win,” said McClung. “I can’t single anyone out. It was a great team effort. We haven’t played that well since the Ironton game.”

Fairland wasted little time asserting itself. Zach Jordan scored eight points and Tyler Godby seven as the Dragons jumped out to a 22-7 first quarter lead.

McClung said the Dragons shooting was in direct contrast to this past Tuesday’s upset loss to River Valley when they were 3-of-24 from the 3-point range. Fairland made 29-of-44 floor shots including 4-of-5 from behind the arc.

“We made an effort not to take 3’s and take the ball to the basket and the players responded,” said McClung.

“We were getting early transition baskets and that was the key. We just kept taking it at them. It seemed like we were making the extra passes and getting the look we wanted.”

Webb — who has been on fire from the field the past three games — got hot in the second quarter and scored 12 points as Chesapeake cut the deficit to 36-26 at the half.

Godby scored six more points and Matt Bloomfield had five of his seven points in the quarter to keep the Dragons in front.

Fairland led by as many as 19 points early in the third quarter. Cole Hatfield scored six points while Adam Berry and Jordan had five each as the lead went to 56-41 at the end of the quarter.

Chesapeake cut the deficit to 14 early in the fourth quarter, but a key 3-pointer by Hatfield opened the lead to 17 and the Dragons were never threatened.

“We showed some patience and we ran some clock,” said McClung.

Godby had 19 points for the Dragons. Hatfield finished with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists while Jordan had 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Webb finished with another big game as he scored 28 points including 10-of-11 at the line. He also had seven rebounds. Trent Saunders added 10 points and six rebounds.

Fairland will play at 9 p.m. Wednesday against host Huntington St. Joseph in the SJI tournament at Memorial Fieldhouse.

Chesapeake 7 19 15 14 = 55

Fairland 22 14 20 13 = 69

CHESAPEAKE (6-3, 4-1): Peter Hintz 1 0 1-2 3, Nathan Copley 3 1 0-1 9, Kyle Webb 6 2 10-11 28, Trent Saunders 4 0 2-3 10, Travis Zimmerman 2 0 1-1 5, Colton Lindsey 0 0 0-0 0, Matt Angle 0 0 0-0 0, Seth Skeens 0 0 0-0 0, Austin McMaster 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19-54 14-18 55. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 3-15. Assists: 4. Rebounds: 23 (Copley 8, Webb 7, Saunders 6). Turnovers: 13.

FAIRLAND (7-4, 3-2): Zach Jordan 3 2 1-2 13, Matt Bloomfield 2 0 3-3 7, Chris Ward 0 1 0-0 3, Chad Fisher 1 0 1-2 3, Cole Hatfield 5 1 0-0 13, Tyler Godby 9 0 1-2 19, Adam Berry 3 0 1-2 7, Evan Salyers 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 29-44 7-11 69. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 4-5. Assists: 19 (Jordan 6, Bloomfield 5, Hatfield 4, Godby 4). Rebounds: 36 (Jordan 7, Hatfield 6, Berry 5). Turnovers: 18.