Eight Brookhaven seniors were confronted with the terriblethought of losing their last home game Tuesday night. After asluggish start, they came to life and pulled out an 82-71 overtimetriumph over the Terry Bulldogs on Senior Night in SinclairGymnasium.

In the 4-minute overtime, senior playmaker Dontae Dixon made 7of 8 free throws in the last 67 seconds to secure the victory.Dixon finished with 14 points.

The Panthers raised their record to 23-6 overall and 2-2 inDivision 6-4A play. Terry fell to 15-2 and 1-4. Terry hosts thedivision tournament Feb. 12-16.

Brookhaven senior post players Corey Bryant and Maurice Brownshouldered much of the load last night. Bryant accounted for 21points and 10 rebounds. Brown scored 20 points and grabbed 10rebounds. Senior guard Matt Fitzsimmons chipped in 17 points.

“We tried to go out and play hard as a team,” explained Brown.”We’ve been struggling since we lost Fred (Mackabee).”

Mackabee, a starting junior forward, broke a bone in his righthand last Thursday in a pickup basketball game. The Panthers wereupset by Crystal Springs last Friday night.

“It feels good to win our last home game,” said Brown. “I gaveit my all.”

Brown had 10 points and 6 rebounds at halftime, including aturnaround jumper which gave Brookhaven a 29-27 halftime lead.Terry had led 25-21 on a layup by guard Jarrett Brown who finishedwith a game-high 22 points.

Brookhaven coach Preston Wilson said his team must play betterdefense the rest of the season. “We let (Terry) shoot four layupsin a row on us. We just backed down and let them shoot it. We mustfind something to spark our defense.”

Wilson called for a timeout after Terry’s Jamie Mack drove thelane for a layup, pulling the Bulldogs within 1 point, 51-50, and5:26 left in the game. Brown responded with a 3-point play, givingthe Panthers a 54-50 lead.

The Bulldogs went ahead 59-56 on a trey by Mack and 3:41 left toplay. Brookhaven regained the lead at 63-61 on a free throw byDixon before Mack’s jumper from the lane tied the game at 63-63with 32 seconds left and forced overtime.

Terry coach John Neal was disappointed by the defeat. “When wewent up 59-56 we had a chance to win. But we missed a rebound andtook a quick shot. We should have been attacking the basket.”

The Bulldogs’ spread/motion offense never found the right gearin overtime. Fitzsimmons scored from the lane after Brookhaven wonthe tip. Then he cashed in a 3-point play off a steal for a 68-63bulge and 3:35 left on the clock.

Brookhaven 82, Terry 71, OT

Terry (71) Jarrett Brown 22, Summers 6, Fortson 6, B.Mack 4, S. Summers 2, Oliver 8, J. Mack 11, M. Kendrick 4, Horton8.

Brookhaven (82) Corey Bryant 21, Dixon 14, Fitzsimmons17, M. Brown 20, Levi 4, Washington 2, Middleton 2, Smith2.

Total fouls: Terry 35. Brookhaven 16. Fouled out-J.Brown, Summers, J. Kendrick of Terry.

Free Throws M-A: Terry 16-16. Brookhaven28-41.

3-point goals: J. Brown 2, J. Mack, Dixon,Fitzsimmons.