CLINTON — The Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars entered the MPSAOverall Tournament at Mississippi College knowing it would take astrong performance to defeat Greenwood Pillow Academy. Brookhavenwas the No. 3 seed out of Class AA. The Lady Mustangs were the No.2 seed from Class AAA.

After a tough battle, it was the Pillow defense that sealed thefate of the Lady Cougars season. Pillow topped Brookhaven 43-26 inthe opening round game in which Brookhaven aided its own demise bycommitting 33 turnovers.

Senior guard Betsy Lynch scored a game-high 15 points to leadBrookhaven, which closed the Lady Mustang lead to just 10 at theend of the third quarter. It wasn’t enough as Pillow convertednumerous fastbreak points off of Cougar turnovers.

Senior forward Kelli Snider scored 5 points in support. HannahWatts pulled down 8 rebounds to lead Brookhaven off the boards, asthe Lady Cougars end their season with a 32-5 mark.

Pillow (31-3) advances to meet Alpha Christian in thequarterfinal round today at 3:15.

Brookhaven Academy’s boys (26-8), coached by Dale Watts, tackleMadison-Ridgeland tonight at 7:15. MRA (30-9) destroyed Franklin(La.) 92-32 yesterday.

“I’m proud of the girls for what they accomplished.” saidBrookhaven girls coach Barry Gray. “They had a great season andthen won the district and South State titles.

“We had great leadership from our seniors,” Gray noted. “Theyaccomplished so much in the years that they played. We wish themthe best in wherever the Lord may lead them.

“We made some mistakes and their press hurt us pretty bad.”added Gray. “But these girls have nothing to hang their head about.They had a great season.”

Pillow led Gray’s girls 21-9 at halftime, smothering theiroffensive plan.

Carolyn Wellborn led Pillow with 13 points in the game. StellaMalouf added 12 points and Elizabeth Woody chipped in 5 points forthe Lady Mustangs.