HAZLEHURST – The Brookhaven Lady Panthers defeated theHazlehurst Indians 54-38 Thursday night in the Hazlehurst Gym. TheHazlehurst Indians took advantage of 38 Brookhaven turnovers, enroute to a 71-58 win over the Panthers.

Brookhaven hosts Pearl Tuesday for 3 games beginning at 5 p.m.with a JV game. Hazlehurst travels to Warren Central Tuesday.

Brookhaven 54, Hazlehurst 38

The Lady Panthers (3-0) placed 4 players in double-figures.Senior center Nikki Byrd tossed in a game-high 17 points, to goalong with 8 rebounds, 2 blocked shots, 2 steals and 2 assists.Ashley Gayten followed with 12 points and 2 steals. Swayze Blackand Whitley Shannon each pumped in 11 points for Head Coach FredaCraft.

Black also had 14 rebounds, 4 steals and 8 assists.

The Lady Indians (1-1), coached by Mike Specks, got 12 points, 7rebounds and 4 steals from Jasmine James. Hazlehurst trailed 14-7after one period and 28-13 at the intermission.

Ole Brook won the rebounding battle 34-29. Each team committed25 turnovers apiece.

Hazlehurst 71, Brookhaven 59

The Panthers (1-2) committed 20 turnovers in the opening half.They were down 18-9 at the end of the first stanza and 31-16 athalftime.

Hazlehurst (1-1), under the direction of Dennis Adams, usedtheir transition defense to afford themselves numerous baskets. TheIndians carried a 51-29 lead entering the fourth frame.

Brookhaven caught fire in the fourth, outscoring Hazlehurst30-20 behind the shooting of point guard Keenan Richardson and SethShannon. The Panthers would also commit 9 of their 18 second-halfmiscues in the final 8 minutes.

Richardson led all scorers with 16 points for head coach RonaldHines’ Panthers. Chad Hall had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and2 assists before fouling out late in the game. Center DesmondArnold had 10 points. Shannon had 3 steals and dished out 4assists.

The Indians were led by Demario Bell and Torey Quinn with 12points apiece. Quinn had 7 rebounds. DyQuaves Jackson had 7 stealsand 3 assists.