By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

The Chesapeake Lady Panthers found an outside game to go with their inside game.

Guards Jackie Nelson and Maggie Smith had season-high scoring performances to spark the Chesapeake Lady Panthers to a 57-29 win over the St. Joseph Female Flyers on Monday.

Nelson scored 16 points and Smith 8 as Chesapeake improved to 6-3. Amanda Ruffner led the Lady Panthers with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Jordan Porter added 10 points and 6 rebounds while Sarah Rice had 9 steals.

“Jackie and Maggie did a nice job for us. We’ve been waiting for Jackie Nelson to have a breakout game,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball. “Jackie can score. She has the green light to do that. It’s certainly a plus for us.”

Hannah Miller led St. Joseph (4-6) with 11 points and Becca Patrick scored 8.

Porter and Ruffner combined for all 8 points in the first quarter as Chesapeake led 8-4.

Ruffner scored 6 points and Porter 5 as the Panthers outscored St. Joseph 15-9 in the second quarter to lead 23-13. Miller scored 7 of the Female Flyers’ points.

“We did what we wanted in the first half but we couldn’t score,” said St. Joseph coach Nick Miller. “We tried to stop the inside game but their guards hit some shots.”

Nelson had 12 of her points in the second half and Smith scored all 8 of her points. Chesapeake outscored St. Joseph 18-9 in the third quarter to open up a 41-22 lead.

“They’re an older, more experienced team. You have to give them credit,” said coach Miller. “We’ll benefit from playing against teams like them. I was proud of the way our girls battled.”

Chesapeake hosts River Valley on Thursday. St. Joseph visits Green at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Chesapeake 8 15 18 16 = 57

St. Joseph 4 9 9 7 = 29

CHESAPEAKE (6-3): Maggie Smith 40 0-0 8, Amanda Ruffner 7 0 5-7 19, Sarah Rice 0 0 0-0 0, Casey Underwood 0 0 0-0 0, Jackie Nelson 8 0 0-0 16, Taylor Martin 1 0 0-0 2, Mackenzie Moore 1 0 0-0 2, Jordan Porter 2 0 6-8 10, Sydnee Hall 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 0 11-15 57. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: None.

SAINT JOSEPH (4-6): Meg Alexander 0 0 0-0 0, Katie Roach 0 0 0-0 0, Amber Neal 3 0 0-0 6, Sarah Neal 0 0 0-0 0, Becca Patrick 3 0 2-3 8, Katie Compston 0 0 0-0 0, Hannah Miller 5 0 1-2 11, Haley Bartram 0 0 0-0 0, Molly Miller 1 0 1-2 3, Rachel Martin 0 0 1-2 1. Totals: 12 0 5-9 29. Fouls: 10. Fouled out: None.