COLUMBIA – The Lawrence County Cougars and Lady Cougars both earned opening-round wins in the Region 7-4A basketball tournament Tuesday. The Lady Cougars dominated Purvis 57-24. The LCHS boys had a tougher time of it but defeated South Pike by a 47-44 score.

With their respective wins, both the Lady Cougars and Cougars advance into Thursday semifinal games. The wins also assured both Lawrence County teams of spots in next week’s South Mississippi 4A playoffs.

LCHS 57, Purvis 24

In girls’ action, the Lady Cougars dominated Purvis from the outset. Lawrence County led 17-8 after one quarter, then put the game away with a 15-2 domination of the second period. The win pushes Vicki Rutand’s girls into a Thursday contest with North Pike, which has defeated the Lady Cougars twice this season.

“Our girls did a good job,” Rutland said, “of taking care of their business, and advancing our season. We’ve got a big challenge in front of us Thursday, but we look forward to it. Obviously, we’d love to win it, to earn a home playoff game.”

Brittany McDuffey led Lawrence County with 22 points. Tiana Dampeer added 7 points and 6 rebounds, as the Lady Cougars improved to 13-13 on the season. Nakia Amerson led Purvis with 9 points.

LCHS 47, South Pike 44

In boys’ action, Lawrence County led South Pike by as many as 12 points in the first half, and had a seemingly comfortable 30-21 lead at the intermission. South Pike battled back in the third quarter, however, powered by the hot shooting Dantavious Andrews and Desmond Cook.

Joe Taylor’s Eagles came back to grab a 1-point lead, but LCHS led 40-39 entering the final period. Both offenses went cold in the fourth, and poor Lawrence County free throw shooting-the Cougars made just 1 of 7 fourth quarter attempts-gave South Pike a shot. Lawrence County’s victory wasn’t secured until Derrick Horton’s last second 3-point attempt fell short.

Freshman Phillip Moore led Lawrence County, which improved to 13-11 with the win, with 15 points. Brandon Daniels added 12, and Marquis Lofton had 10. Pat Bridges’ Cougars will face Tylertown in a Thursday semi-final.

South Pike, which finished 5-23 on the season, got 15 points from Andrews, and 14 points from Cook.