CHESAPEAKE — Kimmie Bennett only played part-time, but she was a full-time difference maker.

After missing the first half due to an illness, Bennett came off the bench to spark the Chesapeake Lady Panthers to a 59-44 come-from-behind win over the River Valley Lady Raiders Monday.

River Valley led by 6 points at the half, but the Lady Panthers’ junior center helped neutralize the size of the Lady Raiders.

“Bennett sparked us to the win. Her presence on the court had a big impact,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.

“In the first half, River Valley controlled the boards and shot the ball well. Kimmie swung the rebounding in our favor.”

Also helping the Lady Panthers (7-3, 3-0) post the Ohio Valley Conference win were Amanda Ruffner with 26 points and Sarah Mayo with 17.

“Mayo did a good job distributing the ball and making big plays for us,” said Ball.

“Ruffner missed the first two games of the year and came back a little slow, but we’ve won four game sin a row and she’s playing well on both ends of the floor.”

Mayo scored 8 points in the first quarter as Chesapeake went up 16-15. Brooke Marcum scored 6 for the Lady Raiders.

River Valley rallied in the second quarter to take a 31-25 lead at the half.

With Bennett in the lineup, Ruffner got 12 points in the third quarter and Chesapeake held River Valley to 5 points and it was 42-36.

Bennett scored all 7 of her points in the fourth quarter as the Lady Panthers continued to pull away.

“We’re playing well together, but we can’t be satisfied. We have to continue to work toward our goals,” said Ball.

Jenna Ward and Marcum scored 10 points each for River Valley (5-5, 1-2).

River Valley 15 16 5 8 = 44

Chesapeake 16 9 17 17 = 59

RIVER VALLEY (5-5, 1-2): Jessica Hager 3 0 0-0 6, Kelsey Sands 0 0 4-6 4, Alli Neville 1 1 2-3 7, Cady Gilmore 1 1 0-0 5, Jenna Ward 3 1 1-3 10, Traci Roberts 1 0 0-0 2, Brooke Marcum 4 0 2-2 10. Totals: 13 3 9-14 44. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Marcum.

CHESAPEAKE (7-3, 3-0): Kristen Webb 0 0 0-0 0, Sarah Mayo 3 2 5-6 17, Amanda Ruffner 11 0 4-4 26, Courtney Heffner 0 1 0-0 3, Allison Chapman 0 0 2-3 2, Maggie Smith 0 0 2-4 2, Kimmie Bennett 1 1 2-2 7, Ashley Jenkins 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 16 4 15-19 59. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

RESERVES: Chesapeake 24-12. Chesapeake leaders: Jackie Nelson 7, Mackenzie Moore 5.