By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Chesapeake Lady Panthers wore out their welcome with the Lawrence County Lady Bulldogs.

The Lady Panthers’ pressure defense took its toll on the Lady Bulldogs as they rallied in the fourth quarter to win 54-49 in the semifinals of the Huntington St. Joe Invitational girls Blue Bracket division Wednesday at Veterans’ Memorial Field House.

“Our pressure wore them down,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball. “Our defense the last three minutes was some of the best we’ve played all year.”

Ruffner racked up 26 points, 12 rebounds, six steals and five blocked shots to lead the Lady Panthers (9-3).

Sarah Mayo had 15 points, five assists and four steals. Jordan Nelson had five rebounds, five assists and three steals as Chesapeake had 15 steals as a team.

Chesapeake will play for the Blue Bracket championship at 9 p.m. Friday against the winner of Thursday’s game between Wayne and Buffalo-Putnam.

Taylor Porter scored 21 points and Jessica Fannin 10 to lead Lawrence County.

Ruffner scored 10 points in the first quarter but the Lady Bulldogs used eight points by Porter to lead 16-15.

Ruffner had eight of Chesapeake’s 12 points in the second quarter to keep the Lady Panthers behind 28-27 at the half.

Lawrence County went up 43-41 at the end of the third quarter as Fannin scored six points, but the Chesapeake defense held the Lady Bulldogs to just six total points in the fourth quarter.

Mayo scored seven points including 3 of 4 from the line to spark the comeback win.

The Lady Panthers play at Portsmouth Thursday.

Chesapeake 15 12 14 13 = 54

Lawrence Co. 16 12 15 6 = 49

CHESAPEAKE (9-3): Sarah Mayo 5 0 5-7 15, Amanda Ruffner 10 0 6-7 26, Jordan Nelson 2 0 0-0 4, Sarah Rice 1 0 0-1 2, Maggie Smith 2 0 1-2 5, Jordan Porter 1 0 0-0 2, Mackenzie Moore 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 0 12-17 54. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.

LAWRENCE COUNTY (4-15): Taylor Porter 6 1 6-9 21, Sarah Hay 1 0 0-0 2, Tasha Williams 2 0 0-0 4, Shelby Hay 1 0 0-0 2, Kara Kirk 0 1 0-0 3, Jessica Fannin 4 0 2-2 10, Jill Senters 1 1 0-3 5, Jessie West 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 16 3 8-14 49. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.