ALEXANDER — The emotion wasn’t there. The defense wasn’t there. Fortunately, the offense was.

Despite a sluggish performance, the Chesapeake Panthers still shots 44 percent from the field and beat the Alexander Spartans 70-56 Saturday night

“We didn’t play well. We lacked intensity,” said Panthers coach Ryan Davis. “When you have a bad defensive night and only give up 56 points you’re doing something right.”

The Panthers were 1-of-10 from the paint in the first quarter but trailed only 16-14 at the end of the quarter. Aaron Ross knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to keep Chesapeake close.

Ross had another trey in the second quarter and the Panthers used a late scoring spurt to go up 33-26 at the half.

“We played well the last two minutes and one second of their quarter and got lead up where they could cut into it,” said Davis.

Nathan Copley drained 4-of-5 from 3-point range and the Panthers were 7-of-9 from the field in the third quarter as they outscored the Spartans 19-11 to take a 52-37 lead.

“We played well the last two minutes and one second of their quarter and got lead up where they could cut into it.”

Tyler Shoemaker scored 17 points and Copley 15 to lead the Panthers (10-2). Kyle Rase had 13 points as he shot 5-of-6 from the floor.

Alexander (6-6) was led by Kyle Barnhouse with 21 points.

The game capped a wild weekend for Davis whose wife, Renee, gave birth to a son early Saturday morning, and marked his return to the school where he played in high school.

“My wife and I want to thank the Chesapeake community for their support during the birth of our son. My wife and I really appreciate it,” said Davis.

The Panthers host River Valley Friday.

Chesapeake14191918=70

Alexander16101119=56

CHESAPEAKE (10-2): Drew Brock 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron Ross 0 3 0-0 9, Nathan Copley 0 5 0-0 15, Kyle Rase 3 2 1-1 13, Matt Angle 0 0 0-0 0, Tyler Shoemaker 5 0 7-9 17, Caleb Freeman 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Webb 2 1 0-2 7, Brian Ross 0 0 0-0 0, Aaron Donahoe 0 0 3-4 3, Trent Saunders 1 0 4-5 6, Travis Zimmerman 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-50 15-21 70. 3-point goals: 11-20. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: Webb. Rebounds: 14-22=36. Steals: 11.

ALEXANDER (6-6): Wes Meadows 0 0 0-0, Lealand Bachus 3 1 2-2 11, Wes Bolin 1 0 0-0 2, Joe Dibennedetto 0 0 0-0 0, Jordan Bobo 0 0 0-0 0, Michael Chapman 0 0 0-0 0, Kyle Barnhouse 10 0 1-4 21, Taylor Rhyan 0 0 2-2 2, Josh Mullett 0 0 0-0 0, Greg Frost 6 0 0-0 12, Zach Bobo 3 0 2-3 8, Matt Sheets 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 23 1 7-11 56. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: Bolin.