Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — This game was about defense.
Chesapeake controlled the tempo but the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers found a way to control the outcome as they edged the Lady Panthers 30-26 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Thursday.
“We held them to six points in the first half and held (Lexie) Arden scoreless. We couldn’t find the flow offensively,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.
“But both teams played really hard. I can’t fault our effort defensively. We executed our game plan but we couldn’t get any points and Ironton was able to find a way to score down the stretch.”
Brooke Webb and Natalee Hall hit 3-pointers in the first quarter for a 6-3 Chesapeake lead. The Lady Panthers led 10-6 at the half.
Lexi Wise a 3-pointer in the first and second quarters to account for all of Ironton’s first half offense.
Arden scored eight points in the third quarter and Wise was 4-of-6 at the foul line as Ironton rallied to take a 20-14 lead.
“I thought Ironton did a good job of getting out in the third quarter and transitioning and that was the difference,” said Ball.
Ironton extended its lead to 23-16 in the fourth quarter but Webb had four points as Chesapeake scored seven straight points to tie the game.
Down 29-26 with six seconds to play, Hall had a 3-point attempt that hit off the rim. Wise got the rebound, was fouled and hit a free throw to set the final score.
Wise scored five points in the fourth quarter.
Wise led Ironton with a game-high 15 points. Arden scored 10 points and Riley Schreck had five.
Hall finished with seven points, nine rebounds and four steals. Webb had seven points and seven rebounds.
The Lady Panthers were hurt by 23 turnovers.
On Saturday, Ironton visits Raceland at 2:30 and Chesapeake hosts Wayne at noon.
Ironton       3    3    14    10    =    30
Chesapeake    6    4    4    12    =    26
IRONTON (5-1, 4-1): Riley Schreck 2 0 1-2 5, Lexi Wise 1 2 7-15 15, Lilly Zornes 0 0 0-0 0, Elli Williams 0 0 0-0 0, Katie Boyer 0 0 0-0 0, Lexie Arden 5 0 0-0 10. Totals: 8 2 8-17 30. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: None.
CHESAPEAKE (4-2, 3-1): Haley Stapleton 0 0 0-0 0, Karlie Davis 0 1 0-2 3, Maddie Ward 0 0 2-4 2, Taylor Hicks 1 0 0-0 2, Brooke Webb 1 1 2-2 7, Natalee Hall 2 1 0-0 7, Shia Ervin 1 0 3-6 5. Totals: 5 3 7-14 26. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.