Panthers squeeze past Natchez

Published 10:55 pm Saturday, January 9, 2016

Daily Leader / Patty Emfinger / Brookhaven's Darius Bryant (30) and Natchez's Larry Griffin (34) battles for the rebound in Friday night Region 3-5A action at Sinclair Gymnasium.

Daily Leader / Patty Emfinger / Brookhaven’s Darius Bryant (30) and Natchez’s Larry Griffin (34) battles for the rebound in Friday night Region 3-5A action at Sinclair Gymnasium.

Lady Bulldogs thump Brookhaven

The undefeated Brookhaven Panthers (16-0) captured a narrow 51-46 win over the Natchez Bulldogs to begin Region 3-5A action Friday night at Sinclair Gymnasium.

In girls’ action, the two-time defending state champions thumped the Lady Panthers 57-33.

Brookhaven will resume action Tuesday as the Panthers and Lady Panthers host Jefferson County in a non-divisional contest. The varsity girls will tip off at 6 p.m., followed by the boys at 7:30 p.m.

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Brookhaven 51, Natchez 46 

The Panthers dominated the Bulldogs in the first half as Brookhaven carried a 35-24 lead into halftime.

In the third period, Natchez rallied back to outscore Brookhaven 17-5 to capture a 41-40 lead.

In the fourth quarter, the Panthers responded with a 11-5 run to clinch their first division win.

Brookhaven had four players to score in double figures as Lazorian McNulty led the pace with 15 points. Garrick Smith chipped in with 12 points. Damarius Brook netted 11 points and Darrian Wilson had 10 points. Danarius Gray scored two points. Darius Bryant added one point.

JaDarrious Ivory pumped in a game-high 20 points to lead the Bulldogs. Tyran Newman contributed 14 points.

Lady Bulldogs 57, Lady Panthers 33 

The Lady Bulldogs of Natchez took charge of the contest in the first half as they hammered Brookhaven 35-12.

In the second half, Natchez outscored Brookhaven 22-21 in the final two periods to secure the victory.

Mya Washington was the top scorer for Brookhaven with 12 points. Miyah Miller, Jada Henderson and Arnancy Arnold contributed four points each. Cheyenne Motley netted five points. Tamia Stallings and Courtney Brown scored two points each.

Ernesha Chatman powered the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points. Kirdis Clark contributed 13 points and Skylar Morgan scored 10 points.