CLINTON – Defense was the name of the game. Brookhaven Academy’sLady Cougars eliminated the Presbyterian Christian School LadyBobcats 26-22 Friday in the semifinals of the MAIS OverallTournament at A.E. Wood Coliseum.

“It was a physical war,” said BA coach Barry Gray after the game.”It was a real physical game, like two football teams going atit.”

The Lady Cougars (30-4) beat PCS for the second time this season.They got 8 points and 6 rebounds from senior center Anna KatelynMangold. Senior forward Mary Lindsey Magee added 9 rebounds and 6points. Laura Beth Wright had 6 points and 4 rebounds.

“We held one of the best offensive teams in the state to 22points,” said Gray. “I told the girls our strength comes fromJesus.”

Gray’s girls were down 10-4 entering the second quarter. Theygained a 10-10 deadlock on Terah Winborne’s layup. A trey by PCS’s6-foot eighth grader Trista Magee gave her team a 15-14 halftimelead. Magee finished with 9 points.

The Hattiesburg-based Lady Bobcats (24-9), coached by MissyBilderback, carried a 19-18 lead into the fourth quarter. BA tookthe lead on a field goal by Mangold off a spin move. Wright sank apair of free throws and her team led 22-19 with 5:38 left toplay.

Wright and Winborne combined for 4 straight free throws in thefinal 45 seconds to secure the win.

The Bobcats got 7 rebounds apiece from Monica Breland, ErinHollifield and Logan Venus.