MONTICELLO – Led by guard Aneidra Stanton’s fourth-quarter freethrow accuracy, the Brookhaven Lady Panthers turned back a LawrenceCounty rally Friday night and beat the Lady Cougars 42-37. Stantonmade 5 of 6 free throws in the final 8 minutes of action andfinished with a team-high 13 points.

Stanton’s effort helped Brookhaven post its 16th win in 17games. She was followed by junior center Ayana Tillman whoaccounted for 12 rebounds and 10 points.

Brookhaven coach Ronald Gill said was unhappy with his team’soffensive performance. “We shot the ball horrible the first half.”His Lady Panthers were 5 of 34 from the field, making 3 of 18 treysand 2 of 16 from 2-point range.

Stanton’s early foul trouble enabled the Lady Cougars to stage astrong rally, powered by guard Brittany Peyton who scored agame-high 18 points.

A steal and a layup by Peyton, cashed in for a 3-point play,reduced her team’s deficit to just 1 point, 36-35, with 2:43remaining on the clock.

Brookhaven responded. Stanton hit 4 straight free throws.Tillman scored on a short jumper and then blocked a shot by StaceySmith of LCHS after an inbounds pass. Stanton’s final 2 free throwscame with 24 seconds left, giving Brookhaven a 7-point, 42-35lead.

The Lady Cougars were staring at a 14-0 deficit after adisastrous first quarter when they failed to score. They were down22-7 at halftime and 34-19 starting the final frame.

“If we hadn’t played so terrible the first half, we might havewon,” said LCHS coach Archie Ross. “We had to come back so far, wegot burned out at the end.”

Down 34-19 starting the final frame, the Lady Cougars got a treyfrom Peyton ignite the rally.

The Lady Panthers got 7 rebounds from Shamika Gilmore. Stantonhad 3 steals and 2 assists.

“Our girls continue to get better,” said Ross. “They gave a goodeffort.”

The Lady Cougars got 7 rebounds from Jasmine Lewis and 6 fromRhonda Warner. Peyton made 3 steals and Isha Toney had 3assists.

Brookhaven hosts the Wal-Mart Invitational this week, startingThursday. The Lady Panthers play McComb at 4 p.m., in the openinground.

Lawrence County (7-12) hosts Jefferson County Tuesday night.