Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — The points were hard to come by. They can thank the defense for that.
In a tough defensive battle, the Chesapeake Lady Panthers edged the Portsmouth Lady Trojans 33-27 on Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.
“Both teams played hard. It was a real physical game,” said Lady Panthers’ coach Chris Ball. “We’ve played good defense all season. I’m really proud of our effort.”
Maddie Ward scored 10 points and Taylor Hicks added seven to lead the Lady Panthers (3-2, 2-1).
Hannah Hughes scored 10 points and Jasmine Eley seven to pace the Lady Trojans (1-5, 1-3).
The game was tied 7-7 after the first quarter as Hicks scored four for Chesapeake and Nia Trinidad had four for Portsmouth.
The Lady Panthers outscored the Lady Trojans 7-3 in the second quarter and it was 14-10 at the half.
Hughes scored six points in the third quarter including a 3-pointer and Jasmine Eley added four points as Portsmouth rallied to take a 23-22 lead. Ward had four points in the quarter for Chesapeake.
But in the fourth quarter, the Lady Panthers rallied to outscore Portsmouth 11-4 as Kandace Pauley and Karli Davis each drained key 3-pointers.
Shia Ervin and Ward had 10 rebounds each for the Lady Panthers.
On Thursday, Chesapeake visits Ironton and Portsmouth goes to Fairland.
Portsmouth 7 3 13 4 = 27
Chesapeake 7 7 8 11 = 33
PORTSMOUTH (1-5, 1-3): Jasmine Eley 1 1 2-9 7, Nia Trinidad 2 0 1-5 5, Hannah Hughes 1 1 5-5 10, Jaiden Rickett 1 0 1-4 3, Aireyana Thoroughman 1 0 0-1 2. Totals: 6 2 9-24 27. Fouls: 20. Fouled out: Hughes.
CHESAPEAKE (3-2, 2-1): Kandace Pauley 0 1 0-1 3, Blake Anderson 1 0 1-4 3, Taylor Hicks 0 1 4-7 7, Maddie Ward 3 0 4-8 10, Shia Ervin 1 0 0-0 2, Lexi Stapleton 1 0 1-2 3, Karli Davis 1 1 0-0 5. Totals: 7 3 10-22 33. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None.