PROCTORVILLE — If you’re looking for the key to the Fairland Lady Dragons’ second straight win, just stare at their defense.

The Lady Dragons evened their record in the Ohio Valley Conference by using a strong defensive effort to beat the Coal Grove Lady Hornets 58-32 Thursday.

“We shot better than 50 percent in the first half, but that was because of our defense. We really got after it defensively and forced a lot of turnovers,” said Fairland coach Jon Buchanan.

“Clarkson had eight steals and Mariah Chaffins came in and did a nice job for a freshman.”

Kennon Clarkson had 13 points but more importantly eight steals to lead the Lady Dragons (2-8, 2-2). Keri Napier led all scorers with 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Samantha Lamb had 11 rebounds as Fairland dominated the boards 47-22.

“We really hurt them rebounding,” said Buchanan. “Our girls are starting to turn the corner. They believe they can win against a good ball club and Coal Grove is a good ball club.”

Ashley Adkins scored 11 points and Kelli McMackin 7 for Coal Grove (2-6, 1-3). Chelsea Delong had 6 rebounds.

Clarkson matched Coal Grove’s total with 7 points in the first quarter as Fairland jumped in front 18-7. The defense held the Lady Hornets to 3 points in the second quarter and it was 32-10 at the half.

“Our press really bothered them the first half and we did our best to try and take away their shooters. We did a pretty good job of that,” said Buchanan.

Napier got 6 points in the third quarter as the Lady Dragons extended their lead to 44-19.

Coal Grove 7 3 9 13 = 32

Fairland 18 14 12 14 = 58

COAL GROVE (2-6, 1-3): Katey Erwin 1-3 0-1 0-0 2, Ashley Adkins 1-7 3-8 0-0 11, Kelli McMackin 1-3 1-5 2-3 7, Taylor Fleming 0-0 1-3 0-2 3, Ashley Goad 0-1 1-3 0-0 3, Cheyenne Bellomy 0-1 0-0 0-0 0, Amanda Collins 0-3 0-0 0-0 0, Chelsea Delong 1-6 0-3 0-0 2, Darrien Hankins 2-4 0-0 0-0 4. Totals: 12-51 2-5 32. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 6-23. Rebounds: 22 (Delong 6). Assists: 1. Turnovers: 26.

FAIRLAND (2-8, 2-2): Stormie Spitzer 0-1 0-0 0-0 0, Katie Fuller 1-2 0-0 0-0 2, Kayla Swiger 0-1 1-8 1-2 4, Jamie Phillips 2-7 0-2 0-2 4, Megan Brooks 2-4 0-0 1-2 5, Kennon Clarkson 3-6 1-1 4-4 13, Mariah Chaffin 3-8 0-1 0-0 6, Samantha Lamb 3-3 0-0 0-3 6, Keri Napier 7-9 0-0 4-6 18. Totals: 23-54 10-19 58. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 2-13. Rebounds: 47 (Lamb 11, Napier 10, Phillips 8). Assists: 15 (Chaffin 5). Steals: Clarkson 8. Turnovers: 19.

RESERVES: Fairland 11-9. Fairland leader: Lauren Poe 5 points.