By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

CHESAPEAKE — It was the Chesapeake Lady Panthers’ worst nightmare. But instead of waking up and screaming, they woke up and just played.

Leading scorer, rebounder and defensive stalwart Amanda Ruffner was out with an illnesss as the Lady Panthers faced the River Valley Lady Raiders on Thursday.

Despite her absence, the Lady Panthers pulled together and beat the Lady Raiders 54-46 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“The day started with bad news with Ruffner out, but it ended up a good day with a good win,” said Chesapeake coach Chris Ball.

“It was a total team effort. It was a bunch of girls who were uncertain what to expect because the player they rely on for so much wasn’t there. It was good to see them come from behind and play like they did. Everyone who dressed played a role tonight.”

Jackie Nelson scored 13 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, Jordan Nelson had 11 points, Sydnee Hall scored 10 points to go with 7 rebounds, and Maggie Smith had 9 points, 10 rebounds and 9 steals in her best all-around performance as Chesapeake improved to 7-3 and 1-2 in the OVC.

Alli Neville and Cady Gilmore scored 16 points each for River Valley (1-8, 0-3).

Chesapeake took an 11-10 first quarter lead as Porter scored 5 points. Neville had 5 for the Lady Raiders.

Neville scored 7 more points in the second quarter as River Valley grabbed a 25-20 halftime lead.

Porter scored 6 points and Casey Underwood scored 5 of her 7 points but the Lady Panthers still trailed 38-33.

“Casey Underwood stepped up and hit some big shots for us when we needed them,” said Ball.

The defense held River Valley to 8 points in the fourth quarter and Smith scored 5 points as the Lady Panthers outscored the Lady Raiders 21-8 to get the win.

“Maggie Smith played well. She was clutch at the end,” said Ball.

River Valley 10 15 13 8 = 46

Chesapeake 11 9 13 21 = 54

RIVER VALLEY (1-8, 0-3): Chelsea Copley 0 0 4-8 4, Shalin Comer 1 0 1-2 3, Beth Misner 1 1 1-3 6, Alli Neville 2 3 3-4 16, Cady Gilmore 2 2 6-7 16, Mercedes Combs 0 0 1-2 1, Kaci Bryant 0 0 0-1 0. Totals: 6 6 16-27 46. Fouls: 16. Fouled out: None.

CHESAPEAKE (7-3, 1-2): Casey Underwood 2 1 0-0 7, Kelsey Curry 0 0 0-0 0, Jackie Nelson 6 0 1-6 13, Sarah Rice 1 0 2-3 4, Sydnee Hall 4 0 2-4 10, Maggie Smith 4 0 1-2 9, Mackenzie Moore 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Porter 4 0 3-4 11. Totals: 21 1 9-19 54. Fouls: 22. Fouled out: None.