Brookhaven Panthers tuned up for a shodown by beating the TerryBulldogs 59-52 Tuesday night in Sinclair Gymnasium, led by JasperHall’s 15 points.

In the varisty girls game, Terry clipped the Lady Pantehrs 48-45behind the 23 points of Jasmine Lindsey.

Brookhaven makes the short trip down I-55 to tackle Pike Countyand Division 6-4A rival McComb Friday night, in their newlyrenovated gym. This division contest tips off at 5 p.m. with a JVboys game. The varsity girls game is set to begin at 6, followed bythe varsity game at 7:30.

The Lady Panthers (11-13, 1-3) used theirheight advantage to author a 10-7 lead at the end of the firstquarter, and carried a 21-19 cushion into the halftimelockerroom.

“We are playing hard, but we have to find a way to get over thehump,” said Lady Panther head coach Billy Holmes. “We must find away to score, and finish games.”

Terry’s Jasmine Lindsey and Brookhaven’s Ayana Tillman put on ascoring clinic in the second half.

Tillman, a 6-foot senior center, tossed in 16 of her team-high20 points, including 10 in the third period. Tillman grabbed 12rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

On the boards, Anna Autman and Shamika Gilmore each had 7rebounds for Brookhaven. Brianna Patton had 5 assists. Threeassists were made by Tiffany Watkins and Chiquita Rancifer.

Lindsey countered with 15 points in the half, sacking 4 treys inthe process. The Lady Bulldogs would trail 37-34 entering the finalstanza.

Brookhaven’s inability to score, along with several crucialturnovers would lead to the narrow 3-point win by Terry.

“We must cut down on turnovers late in the game,” addedHolmes.

The Panthers (20-3, 3-1) and Bulldogs came outwith defense on their minds. Junior forward Jasper Hall sacked apair of treys in the opening period, but Brookhaven would trail20-19 heading into the second quarter. Terry countered with theinside presence of A. J. Oliver, who scored 7 of his game-high 16points in the period.

“Oliver scored at will in the paint,” said Brookhaven head coachRonald Hines.

The Bulldogs kept their fight going in the second frame withseveral leads, but the Panthers would gain a slim 30-26 cushion atthe intermission on a pair of baskets by Lamar Hall and DexterMiddleton.

The teams were deadlocked 16-16 in the third, with Brookhavenhaving the 4-point lead, 46-42, entering the fourth quarter. Oliverpumped in 9 second-half points to keep Terry close.

The Panthers would use an 8-for-12 effort from the charitystripe, from Middleton and senior guard Brandon Caston, in thefinal minutes to hold on for the 7-point victory.

Hall led the Brookhaven offensive with 15 points and 5 rebounds.Dexter Middleton followed with 11 points and 2 steals. Lamar Hallgrabbed 9 rebounds. Caston dished out 4 assists and had 2steals.

The Bulldogs got 14 points from James Kendrick and 11 from JasonOwens.