South Pike went to work on defense in the second half Tuesdaynight and overwhelmed the Brookhaven Lady Panthers 48-26 inSinclair Gymnasium. They were powered by point guard JessicaStallings with 10 points.

Brookhaven (11-15, 1-5) concludes regular season play Fridaynight at Natchez. The Division 6-4A Tournament tips offTuesday at South Pike in Magnolia.

In their last home game, the Lady Panthers got 8 pointseach from forward Shamika Gilmore and guard Tiffany Watkins. Seniorcenter Ayana Tillman suffered an ankle sprain in last Friday’s lossat McComb and wore a brace for last night’s game. Tillman waslimited to 4 points and Brookhaven only scored 12 points the secondhalf.

“Our strong point is trapping at half court,” said SouthPike second-year head coach Marcus Flippin. “We wanted to putpressure on Brookhaven’s guards.”

Flippin’s Lady Eagles are 22-2 overall and 5-0 in thedivision race. They need a Friday night win over Lawrence County tosecure the No. 1 seed in next week’s divisiontournament.

Flippin only starts one senior in Chenautis Robinson whofinished with nine points. Four juniors are in the starting lineup.Center Ebony Field had 7 rebounds.

“We were in trouble when (South Pike) started attackingus with their press,” said Brookhaven first-year head coach BillyHolmes. “We couldn’t’ seem to dribble through it.”

Brookhaven led 9-8 at the close of the first quarterbefore Robinson launched a South Pike rally. She scored 3 fieldgoals in an 8-2 run and the Eagles led 18-12.

Playing with intensity and enthusiasm, the Eagles almostshut out Brookhaven in the fourth quarter. Gilmore’s rebound andputback were the first points in the final frame and they came with1:20 left to play. Gilmore scored the remaining points on a fieldgoal and a free throw. She finished with 6 rebounds.

@Bbstandings:South Pike 48, Brookhaven 26

South Pike (48) Jessica Stallings 10, Forrest 4, Aych 2,Grady 9, Spurlock 3, Bond 4, Robinson 9, E. Field 5, Green2.

Brookhaven (26) Shamika Gilmore 8, Watkins 8, Tillman 4,Rancifer 2, McCray 2, Vinson 2.

Total fouls: South Pike 17. Brookhaven 18.

Free Throws M/A:South Pike 9-22. Brookhaven3-11.

3-point goals: South Pike 1 (Spurlock). Brookhaven 1(Watkins).

South Pike

8

12

16

12 – 48

Brookhaven

9

5

7

5 – 26