BOGUE CHITTO – Confronted by a towering Brookhaven front line,the Bogue Chitto Lady Bobcats found themselves at a distinctrebounding disadvantage Tuesday night. The expected backboarddomination powered Brookhaven to a 53-44 triumph over the Lady’Cats. The Lady Panthers were directed by senior forward NikkiBlakely’s 20 points.

It was the seventh straight win for the improving Lady Panthers(11-6) and their first game in three weeks. They overcame 22turnovers by dominating the backboards.

“My young ones are getting better,” said Brookhaven girls coachRonald Gill. “We are better rebounding. We only gave (Lady ‘Cats)one shot most of the time.”

Ayana Tillman, a 5-11 sophomore; and Juliana Wallace, a 5-10senior, dominated the backboards for Brookhaven. Tillman accountedfor 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocked shots. Wallace grabbed 13rebounds, scored 7 points and made 2 steals.

“Bogue Chitto has a lot of grit and they never quit,” said Gill.”Their three-point shooting scared me.”

The Lady ‘Cats collected 10 treys last night, led by sophomoreguard Jessica Melton’s 15 points, including 3 treys. She also had 5assists and 4 steals.

Sophomore guard Randi Moak chipped in 12 points on 4 treys.Sophomores Jerrica McGary and Yolanda Drummond each grabbed 7rebounds.

Bogue Chitto (11-3) was down by 10 points at halftime, 20-15.BHS guard Tiffany Watkins hit a running trey from half court as thebuzzer sounded. In the third quarter, the Lady ‘Cats trailed by 10points, 33-23 on a putback by Blakely before staging a 7-0 run.

Moak’s steal, cashed in for a layup, reduced BC’s deficit to 3points, 33-30, with 1:15 left in the third frame. Blakely sparkedan 8-0 run to start the final frame, bagging a pair of free throwsand a 15-foot jumper, giving Brookhaven a 43-32 advantage. Blakelyscored 14 of her game-high total in the second half, including aback-to-back layups in the final 23 seconds of the game.

“Brookhaven is big and Blakely is a good player,” said BogueChitto coach Mickey Myers. “She’s strong and physical. Tillmanreally hurt us inside.”

The Lady ‘Cats cut Brookhaven’s lead to 3 points, 47-44, on ajumper by Moak and a free throw by McGary with 1:38 left to play.Tillman swished a pair of free throws for insurance and Blakelyscored 2 straight field goals.

Bogue Chitto visits Mount Hermon, La., Friday. Brookhaven hostsLawrence County.