By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

CHESAPEAKE — It was a case of replacing “3s” with “Ds.”

After 38 total points in the first quarter including nine 3-point goals, the Chesapeake Panthers stepped up their defense and beat the Rock Hill Redmen 70-38 on Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We didn’t play great defense early and to their credit they hit some shots,” said Chesapeake coach Ryan Davis. “The second half we were better defensively.”

Chesapeake (9-1, 5-0) took a 24-14 first quarter lead as Javon Thompson hit three triples, Austin McMaster two more and Eric Kennedy another. Drew Kidd had a pair of 3-pointers and Trey Wilds one for the Redmen.

Overall, the Panthers hit 8 of their first 12 3-point goal attempts.

But the Panthers’ defense limited the Redmen to only 7 points in the second quarter while Patrick Hintz scored 10 points as Chesapeake built a 42-21 halftime lead.

Chesapeake’s defense clamped down again in the third quarter by allowing only 4 points and forced the Redmen into 23 turnovers for the game.

McMaster had 8 points in the third quarter as Chesapeake opened up a 60-25 cushion.

McMaster led the Panthers with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Hintz scored 14 points, Brandon Noble scored 11 and Chad Meadows grabbed 10 rebounds.

Andy Knipp scored 10 points for Rock Hill (4-8, 1-4).

The Panthers played Russell, Ky., Saturday night in the final game of the annual Beast of the Southeast classic.

Rock Hill 14 7 4 13 = 38

Chesapeake 24 18 21 7 = 70

ROCK HILL (4-8, 1-4): Jake Falls 0 1 0-0 3, Drew Kidd 0 2 0-0 6, Will McCollister 3 0 0-1 6, Austin Collins 2 0 0-0 4, Trey Wilds 1 1 0-0 5, Jared Bruce 1 0 0-2 2, Chandler Haskins 1 0 0-0 2, Joe Stidham 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Hairston 0 0 0-0 0, Layden Delawder 0 0 0-0 0, Andrew Schwab 0 0 0-0 0, Andy Knipp 4 0 2-2 10. Totals: 12 4 2-5 38. Turnovers: 23. Fouls: 5. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (9-1, 5-0): Patrick Hintz 3 2 2-2 14, Eric Kennedy 2 1 0-0 7, Brandon Noble 5 0 1-2 11, Javon Thompson 1 4 0-0 14, Austin McMaster 5 3 1-1 20, Chad Meadows 1 0 0-0 2, Caleb Lindsey 1 0 0-0 2, Tyler Banaei 0 0 0-0 0, Shane Stephens 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Carpenter 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 18 10 4-5 70. Rebounds: 17-23=40 (Meadows 10, McMaster 9). Turnovers: 6. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: None.