CROWN CITY — Coach Nick Miller has a special “Thank You” for his defense.

With the offense struggling, the Coal Grove Lady Hornets relied on their defense to beat the South Gallia Lady Rebles 41-35 Saturday.

“We played good defense. We got hands on a lot of balls. Our defense carried us,” said Miller.

Coal Grove’s offense came from Chelsea Delong with 18 points and Kelli McMackin had 14.

McMackin scored 6 points and Delong 5 as they combined for three 3-pointers to give them an 11-8 first quarter lead.

Delong came back with 7 points in the second quarter but the Rebels tied the game 22-22 at the half.

With Coal Grove’s Ashley Adkins out with four fouls, each team scored 6 points in the third quarter.

But Delong had four key foul shots in the fourth quarter as Coal Grove (4-6) pulled away to the win.

Coal Grove 11 11 6 13 = 41

South Gallia 8 14 6 7 = 35

COAL GROVE (4-6): Katy Erwin 0 0 1-2 1, Ashley Adkins 2 0 4-9 8, Kelli McMackin 2 3 1-3 14, Taylor Fleming 0 0 0-0 0, Ashley Goad 0 0 0-2 0, Amanda Collins 0 0 0-0 0, Chelsea Delong 2 2 8-10 18, Darrien Hankins 0 0 0-1 0. Totals: 6 5 14-27 41. Fouls: 17. Fouled out: None.

SOUTH GALLIA (NA): Courtney Blackburn 0 0 0-0 0, Taylor Duncan 4 0 2-5 10, Ellie Bostick 0 0 0-0 0, Lindsay Johnson 0 0 0-0 0, Morgan Gilliland 3 0 2-2 8, Crystal Adkins 0 0 0-0 0, Chandra Canaday 1 0 0-0 2, Jasmine Waugh 0 1 2-4 5, Haliee Swain 3 0 4-8 10. Totals: 11 1 10-19 35. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: Gilliland, Duncan.