The one-two scoring punch took care of the offense, but it was the defense that proved to be the difference.

Friday, January 21, 2000

The one-two scoring punch took care of the offense, but it was the defense that proved to be the difference.

Erin Sutphin and Kati Fuller scored 23 points each as Chesapeake beat the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers 66-45 Thursday, but they key to the victory was the Lady Panthers press.

Trailing 28-27 a few minutes into the third quarter, Chesapeake used its press to generate an 18-2 run and blow the game open.

"I was pleased with our press. Our press the second half was the different. That’s the best we’ve done all season," Panthers coach Lynn Sheets said.

Ironton coach Kevin Richardson said the Lady Panthers used their press in the first meeting last month, so it didn’t come as a surprise.

"We expected them to press," Richardson said. "We did a pretty good job of breaking their press the first time we played, but I don’t know what happened tonight. Their press bothered us and Sutphin shot the ball well. She was on."

Fuller scored 8 points and Sutphin had 7 the first quarter as Chesapeake went ahead 18-13.

Jessica Ensor drained a pair of 3-pointers the second quarter as Ironton rallied to within 27-26 at the break.

A layup by Candace Ferguson put Ironton ahead 28-27, but a 9-0 run by Chesapeake capped by Sutphin’s 3-pointer made it 36-28. A layup by Ferguson at the 3:15 mark got Ironton within 36-30, but Fuller and Sutphin led another 9-0 run for a 45-30 lead and the rout was on.

Sutphin scored 10 points and Fuller 9 in the pivotal third quarter. Ferguson had all 7 of Ironton’s points.

Ferguson finished with 18 points and Ensor scored 12 before leaving the game in the third quarter with an injury.

On Monday, Chesapeake plays at Fairland in a key Ohio Valley Conference game while Ironton travels to Coal Grove.

Chesapeake 18 9 25 14 – 66

Ironton 13 13 7 12 – 45

CHESAPEAKE (9-5): Michelle Christian 0 0 0-0 0, Lindsey Stiltner 3 0 0-0 6, Erin Sutphin 5 4 1-2 23, Kati Fuller 10 0 3-7 23, Jessica Hall 3 0 1-4 7, Tiffany Porter 0 0 0-0 0, Shawna Gore 0 0 0-0 0, Kim Frye 0 0 0-0 0, Michelle Elkins 2 0 1-2 5, Lindsey Swann 0 0 0-0 0, Sarah Harris 1 0 0-0 2. Totals: 24 4 6-15 66. Fouls: 11. Fouled out: None.

IRONTON (3-7): Laura Oaks 0 0 0-0 0, Sarah Herman 1 0 3-4 5, Rachel McClellan 0 0 0-0 0, Ashley Hannon 0 0 0-0 0, Jessica Ensor 2 2 2-2 12, Carly Isaac 1 0 0-0 2, Candace Ferguson 7 0 4-5 18, Cheryl Hill 0 0 0-0 0, Courtney Doughman 3 0 0-0 6, Angelina Pleasant 0 0 0-0 0, Christina Norris 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 2 9-11 45. Fouls: 15. Fouled out: None.