JACKSON – The Brookhaven Lady Panthers survived a brutal Tuesday night of physical basketball and rallied past the Wingfield Lady Falcons 50-43 to maintain their lead in the region 5A race. Senior center Carey Crozier’s game-high 23 points directed the win.

In the boys game, Wingfield defeated the Panthers. Additional information was unavailable at press time.

The Lady Panthers (19-6, 4-1) got 13 points and 10 rebounds from Fredericka Fairman as they erased a 28-21 deficit starting the fourth quarter. Crozier collected 9 rebounds and Archea Brotherns 8. Fairman and Benson had 5 steals.

Fairman sparked the 29-point, fourth-quarter comeback with 8 points. Benson bagged 2 treys in the rally before fouling out.

BHS coach Freda Craft was proud of the victory. “Her team played with heart and determination after being down,” said BHS assistant coach Zandre Hamilton. “They were behind 19 (points) and could have given up.

Brookhaven takes the rest of the week off. The Panthers and Lady Panthers will host Pearl’s Pirates Feb. 8 for Senior Night and their last home appearance in Sinclair Gymnasium.