MONTICELLO – The Brookhaven Lady Panthers controlled the openingtip and scored their first basket on a layup by senior center NikkiByrd just 3 seconds into the game. Ole Brook never looked back;thus picking up a 51-26 Division 6-4A victory over the LawrenceCounty Lady Cougars Friday night.

Brookhaven hosts Mendenhall in a 6-4A test Tuesday night inSinclair Gym. The varsity girls game tips off at 6 p.m.

The Lady Panthers (17-3, 3-1) held the lead in every facet ofthe game, except for rebounding. Brookhaven took advantage ofLawrence County miscues to convert them into baskets. BHS coachFreda Craft saw her ballclub lead 13-8 after one period and 29-12at the halftime break.

The Lady Cougars (7-15, 1-4) never backed down from thechallenge in front of them. Despite the Lady Panthers’ heightadvantage, LCHS continued to shoot the basketball and grabbednumerous loose ball rebounds. LCHS was unable to convert itssecond-chance opportunities and free throws throughout thegame.

Byrd, an Ole Miss signee, led all scorers with a game-high 16points, plus 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocked shots. LSU signeeSwayze Black followed with 13 points and 7 assists. Kierra Collinsgrabbed 5 rebounds and had 5 steals. Amber Dickey had 3 steals.

Ole Brook shot 60 percent (12 of 20) from the floor in the firsthalf, and 52 percent (22 of 42) for the game. The Lady Panthersscored 15 point off of 20 LCHS turnovers, and 12 second-chancepoints in the paint.

“We are glad to halt the 2-game losing streak,” said CoachCraft. “We still need to play four complete quarters.”

For the Lady Cougars, Mary Hill, Candace Little, Shayanna Mikelland Alex-Scott Newsome scored 4 points each. Brittany Collins wastops of the backboards with 5 rebounds. Collins and Fiere Browneach dished out 2 assists.

The Lady Cougars managed just 21 percent (9 of 43) from thefield and 42 percent (6 of 14) from the charity stripe. Theyoutrebounded Brookhaven 29-26, including a 16-6 edge on theoffensive glass.

LCHS head coach Vicki Rutland was unavailable for commentfollowing the game.