By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

PEDRO — One thing the Chesapeake Lady Panthers have learned this season is perseverance.

After losing four key players including three starters from last year’s 13-win season, the Lady Panthers battled to their 13th win this year with a 46-44 overtime win over the Rock Hill Redwomen Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We had a lot of things go against us and we still won. That’s a tribute to the girls,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball. “Give Rock Hill all the credit in the world. They played hard the whole game.”

The underdog Redwomen made the Lady Panthers work for the win. Coach Alvin Carpenter was disappointed in the loss but pleased with his team’s effort.

“We had our chances to win in regulation and in overtime. Things just didn’t go our way,” said Carpenter. “We had two turnovers at the end of regulation that let them tie the game.”

Chesapeake tied the game at 38 to force overtime and went up by four points in the extra period on a putback by Amanda Ruffner off a missed foul shot.

But Rock Hill tied the game when Sarah Mayo was fouled with eight seconds left. Mayo made both shots and it was 46-44.

The Redwomen were fouled with three seconds on the clock but missed the front end of a one-and-one.

Chesapeake lead 12-10 at the end of the first quarter despite Brittany Thompson scoring all of Rock Hill’s points.

Courtney Duncan hit a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter as Rock Hill rallied to take a 27-21 halftime lead.

The Lady Panthers got within 33-31 at the end of the third quarter before tying the game in the fourth quarter.

Mayo finished with 19 points, six rebounds and five steals. Ruffner had 14 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots while Jordan Porter added 11 rebounds and three steals.

Thompson led Rock Hill with 15 points and five rebounds. Chelsea Harper had 14 points, five rebounds and five steals while Duncan added 10 points and three assists. Dani Crabtree pulled down 13 rebounds.

Chesapeake is now 13-5 and ends the OVC tied for second place with Fairland at 7-3.

“Not many people gave us a chance to win as many games as we did last year and we did it against the same schedule,” said Ball. “I’m proud of the girls for that.”

Rock Hill finished the regular season 5-15 and 1-9 in the OVC. The Redwomen won just one game last season.

“Our girls played hard. They’ve really improved throughout the season. I’m proud of their effort,” said Carpenter.

Chesapeake plays at Lucasville Valley at 1 p.m. Saturday. On Wednesday, Rock Hill faces Southeastern at 8 p.m. in the Div. III sectional tournament at Wellston.

Chesapeake 12 9 10 7 8 = 46

Rock Hill 10 17 6 5 6 = 44

CHESAPEAKE (13-5, 7-3): Kristen Webb 1 0 0-0 2, Sarah Mayo 5 0 9-12 19, Amanda Ruffner 6 0 2-5 14, Jackie Nelson 1 0 1-2 3, Sarah Rice 0 0 0-2 0, Maggie Smith 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Porter 4 0 0-0 8. Totals: 17 0 12-21 46. Fouls: 13. Fouled out: Porter.

ROCK HILL (5-15, 1-9): Chelsea Harper 3 2 2-3 14, Lindy Simpson 0 0 0-0 0, Brook Knipp 0 0 0-0 0, Courtney Duncan 2 2 0-1 10, Tommi Butler 1 0 0-0 2, Brittany Thompson 7 0 1-4 15, Dani Crabtree 1 0 1-2 3. Totals: 18-50 4-10 44. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None. 3-point goals: 4-9. Rebounds: 30 (Crabtree 13, Thompson 5, Harper 5, Butler 5). Assists: 5 (Duncan 3). Steals: 9 (Harper 5).

RESERVES: Chesapeake 28-23. Chesapeake leaders: Casey Underwood 10 points, Ashlee Miller 10 points. Rock Hill leader: Brooke Hanshaw 7 points.