Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — Picking up the pressure was just the right pick me up for the Chesapeake Panthers.

Trailing by 8 points at the half, the Panthers’ pressure defense forced turnovers and triggered a 52-35 come-from-behind Ohio Valley Conference win over the Rock Hill Redmen on Tuesday.

Chesapeake forced 23 turnovers for the game and held the Redmen to just 14 points in the second half, three in the third quarter.

“We picked up our pressure in the second half,” said Chesapeake coach Ryan Davis. “We haven’t played well yet. We have to start doing things better.”

Brad Meadows had 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Panthers (4-0, 2-0). Nate Smith added 12 points.

Rock Hill (2-2, 0-1) was paced by Austin Collins with 13 points and Austin Barcus with 11.

Collins had 5 points in the first quarter as Rock Hill took a 13-4 lead. The Redmen were up 21-13 at the half.

With the defense allowing only three foul shots in the third quarter, Meadows scored 11 points as Chesapeake rallied to take a 34-24 lead.

Smith and Jake Stevens combined for 9 points in the fourth quarter as the Panthers extended their lead and limited Rock Hill to a mere three field goals.

Collins scored 6 of Rock Hill’s 11 points.

Chesapeake 4 9 21 18 = 52

Rock Hill 13 8 3 11 = 35

CHESAPEAKE (4-0, 2-0): Jake Stevens 1 0 4-4 6, Casey McComas 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Carpenter 2 0 0-0 4, Kolton Webb 1 1 0-0 5, Nate Smith 2 2 2-2 12, Gage Rhoades 2 1 2-4 9, Brad Meadows 6 0 1-1 13, Aaron Thompson 1 0 1-6 3. Totals: 15 4 10-17 52. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Meadows, Thompson. Turnovers: 18.

ROCK HILL (2-2, 0-1): Alex Nance 0 0 0-0 0, Nathan Turvey 0 0 0-0 0, Austin Collins 2 1 6-8 13, Jake Falls 4 0 1-5 9, Brady Knipp 0 0 0-0 0, Tanner Martin 0 0 0-0 0, Trystan Matney 1 0 0-2 2, Austin Barcus 4 0 3-4 11. Totals: 11 1 10-19 35. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None. Turnovers: 23.