Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — Defense ruled.
Grace Christian used its defense to beat the defensive-minded Chesapeake Lady Panthers 46-34 on Saturday.
The Lady Soldiers took a 15-9 first quarter lead as Rachel Tanner hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight points. Maddie Ward had seven points for Chesapeake including a 3-pointer.
Emily Hutchinson had a 3-pointers as she scored seven points in the second quarter to extended the lead to 27-19 at the half.
Taylor Hicks knocked down a 3-pointer and had four points for the Lady Panthers.
In the third quarter, Grace Christian outscored Chesapeake 7-6 to make it 34-25. Blake Anderson was 3-for-4 at the line for the Lady Panthers.
Grace Christian converted 8-of-12 free throws and Samantha Wells and Hayley Matthews scored four points each.
Chesapeake got a 3-pointer from Hicks and baskets from Anderson, Ward and Karli Davis.
Ward had 11 points to pace Chesapeake (8-10) while Anderson scored nine and Hicks eight.
Hutchinson led Grace Christian with 15 and Matthews scored 11.
Chesapeake hosts Ironton on Monday.
Grace Chrstn 15 12 7 12 = 46
Chesapeake 9 10 6 9 = 34
GRACE CHRISTIAN (15-4): Samantha Wells 3 0 2-4 8, Hayley Matthews 3 0 5-5 11, Hannah Benge 0 0 0-0 0, Rachel Tanner 1 2 1-2 9, Emily Hutchinson 3 1 6-6 15, Shay Cincenas 1 0 1-4 3. Totals: 11 3 15-21 46. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.
CHESAPEAKE (8-10): Kandace Pauley 0 0 0-0 0, Blake Anderson 3 0 3-5 9, Taylor Hicks 0 2 2-8 8, Corrine Ferguson 1 0 0-0 2, Sammie McComas 0 0 0-0 0, Maddie Ward 4 1 0-0 11, Karli Davis 2 0 0-0 4. Totals: 10 3 5-13 34. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.