PORT GIBSON – Brookhaven’s Lamar Hall and Dexter Middletoncombined for 41 points, as the Panthers handed the Port Gibson BlueWave a 66-61 Division 6-4A loss Friday night, in Claiborne County.Hall scoed 21 points and Middleton 20 in the important victory.

The Brookhaven Lady Panthers were not as fortunate, dropping aclose 33-30 loss to the Port Gibson Lady Blue Wave.

Brookhaven hosts Terry for 2 games Tuesday. This Division 6-4Amatch-up tips off at 6 p.m. with the varsity girls game, followedby the varsity boys at 7:30.

The Lady Panthers (11-12, 1-2) trailedthroughout the 32-minute affair. Brookhaven has only wonback-to-back games twice this season.

Port Gibson, coached by Harold Higgans, entertained a 13-9 leadheading into the second period and took an 8-point advantage, 21-13into the halftime lockerroom.

Brookhaven outscored the Lady Wave 6-4 in the third period, andendured a 25-19 deficit entering the final frame.

Brookhaven was led by Ayana Tillman, a 6-foot senior center,with 13 points. Mandy Vinson followed with 8 points.

Port Gibson was led by Amina Palmer with a game-high 14points.

The Panthers (19-3, 2-1) continued a year-longtrend of coming out of the starting gates slow. Brookhaven led15-14 after the opening period and 31-28 at the intermission.

“Port Gibson played us a lot better at their own gym versus atour place,” said Panther head coach Ronald Hines. He was referringto Brookhaven’s 63-48 non-division win over the Blue Wave on Jan.21 in Sinclair Gym. Port Gibson’s sub-standard shooting downstretch cost them a victory in Brookhaven.

The shooting display was evident throughout the entire game,including the third quarter where Port Gibson outscored Brookhaven17-8 and led 45-39 entering the fourth period.

The Blue Wave placed 4 players in double-figures. Antwan Jonesled the way with 17 points, followed by Jeremy Yates and Carl Joneswith 15 points apiece. Chunky Walker had 10 for Port Gibson headcoach Kim Windom.

The Panthers came back with a roar in the final 8 minutes,outscoring the host 25-16 to bring home the 5-point victory andsweep the season series 2-0. Lamar, a 6-foot-5 senior center, had 9of his game-high 21 points in the period. Middleton, a 6-foot-2senior guard/forward, pumped in 11 of his 20 points during the8-minute stretch.