By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

CHESAPEAKE — No matter how many things might go wrong, it’s always a good night when you win.

That’s how things went for the Chesapeake Lady Panthers who held off the River Valley Lady Raides 57-54 Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Chesapeake held a 15-point lead with three minutes to play when River Valley began its comeback. But the Lady Panthers were able to keep the lead and get the win on senior night.

“They started to hit shots and the ball started bouncing their way. We helped it by turning the ball over,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.

“But we made the plays we needed to make to win. It was a good win and the best thing was being able to send the seniors off with a win. Both (Sarah) Mayo and (Kristen) Webb played a role in the win.”

Mayo had 16 points and three assists in her final home game for Chesapeake (12-4, 6-2). Amanda Ruffner had 18 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots while freshman Jordan Porter had a career-high 15 points along with nine rebounds.

Brooke Marcum scored 18 points and Kelsey Sands 17 for River Valley (10-9, 4-5).

“Porter got in there an battled with Marcum. She played strong and that’s what we need from her,” said Ball. “Ruffner did a athletic things. You can always count on Ruffner.”

Mayo drained a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter but the Lady Panthers were down 11-10.

Ruffner and Porter scored eight points each in the second quarter as Chesapeake rallied to take a 30-20 halftime lead.

The Lady Raiders cut the gap to 42-34 after three quarters despite six points by Ruffner, but Mayo had seven points in the fourth quarter as the Lady Panthers held on.

Marcum and Sands scored seven points each as River Valley attempted its fourth quarter comeback.

Chesapeake visits South Point Saturday with the reserve game starting at 1 p.m.

River Valley 11 9 14 20 = 54

Chesapeake 10 20 12 15 = 57

RIVER VALLEY (10-9, 4-5): Jessica Hager 1 0 1-6 3, Kaitlyn Roberts 0 0 0-0 0, Kelsey Sands 5 0 7-14 17, Allie Nelville 2 0 0-0 4, Cady Gilmore 2 1 0-0 7, Beth Misner 1 1 0-0 5, Brooke Marcum 7 0 4-7 18. Totals: 18 2 12-27 54. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (12-4, 6-2): Kristen Webb 3 0 0-0 6, Sarah Mayo 2 3 3-6 16, Amanda Ruffner 8 0 2-3 18, Jackie Nelson 1 0 0-0 2, Sarah Rice 0 0 0-0 0, Maggie Smith 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Porter 6 0 3-6 15. Totals: 20 3 8-15 57. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

RESERVES: Chesapeake 36-16. Chesapeake: Anna Mayo 10. RV: Mercedes Combs 7.