By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

BIDWELL — It appears the Chesapeake Lady Panthers can’t pass up a challenge.

Trailing by 11 points at halftime, the Lady Panthers stormed back in the second half to beat the River Valley Lady Raiders 54-47 Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We challenged them at halftime and, obviously, they answered the challenge,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.

Answering the challenge were Sarah Mayo and Jackie Nelson with 18 points each. Mayo also had six rebounds. Amanda Ruffner registered 10 blocked shots.

Brooke Marcum led River Valley (4-6, 1-2) with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Kaitlyn Roberts had 13 rebounds.

“Mayo and Nelson carried us tonight. They played well on both ends of the floor,” said Ball.

“Jordan Porter did a nice job for us. Marcum scored 18 in the first half and we put her on Marcum in the second half and her defense allowed us to get back in the game.”

River Valley jumped out to a 22-9 lead in the first quarter. Mayo hit a pair of 3-pointers.

After the Lady Panthers cut the deficit to 33-22 at the half, Nelson scored eight points and Mayo five as Chesapeake outscored the Lady Raiders 21-9 to take a 43-42 lead.

The Lady Panthers never trailed the rest of the game.

Chesapeake 9 13 21 11 = 54

River Valley 22 11 9 5 = 47

CHESAPEAKE (7-2, 3-1): Kristen Webb 1 0 0-0 2, Sarah Mayo 2 4 2-2 18, Amanda Ruffner 2 0 3-4 7, Jackie Nelson 7 1 1-2 18, Sarah Rice 0 0 0-0 0, Maggie Smith 2 0 1-2 5, Jordan Porter 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 16 5 6-9 53. Fouls: 9. Fouled out: None.

RIVER VALLEY (4-6, 1-2): Jessica Harper 0 0 0-0 0, Kaitlyn Roberts 1 0 0-0 2, Kelsey Sands 1 0 0-0 2, Alli Nelville 5 0 2-6 12, Cady Gilmore 0 2 0-0 6, Beth Misner 0 0 0-0 0, Brooke Marcum 12 0 1-3 25. Totals: 19 2 3-9 47. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.

RESERVES: Chesapeake 26-20. CHS top scorer: Anna Mayo 7. RV top scorer: Ashley Morgan 14.