MONTICELLO – The Lawrence County Lady Cougars used theirquickness to force turnovers on defense and mauled Brookhaven’sLady Panthers for a 65-27 victory Friday night in the LawrenceCounty Gymnasium.

In varsity boys’ action, the Brookhaven Panthers outscored theCougars 23-5 in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter andheld on for a 71-51 win over Lawrence County.

The Panthers and Lady Panthers resumes action Monday as they travelto McComb to take part in McComb’s Holiday Tournament. Brookhavenwill face the Amite County Trojans. Tipoff is set to begin at noonwith the girls followed by the boys.

Lawrence County will be in action Tuesday as they host the NatchezBulldogs. Game time is 6 p.m. for the girls, followed by theboys.

Lawrence Co. 65, Brookhaven 27

Lady Cougars (10-3) Tiaria Griffin and Taylor Brister led allscorers with 19 points apiece. Mary Margaret McLaurin provided 10points.

“We had a good defensive effort,” said LC coach Vicki Rutland. “Ourmain goal was to hold Brookhaven to under 40 points for the game. Iam very proud of my girls for accomplishing that goal and playingteam ball.”

The Lady Panthers (4-8) were led in scoring by small forward ArielOwens with 8 points. Shareeka Hill contributed 5 points.

“We are a young team,” said Brookhaven coach Freda Craft. “We stillhave a lot of learning to do.”

Craft’s girls trailed 30-11 at halftime.

Brookhaven 71, Lawrence Co. 51

Center Fred Fairman pumped a 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds tolead the Panthers (10-2). Keith Johnson and Leo Garrett contributed13 points apiece. Johnson also snatched 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 2assists and blocked two shots.

“We played with good intensity,” said Brookhaven coach PrestonWilson. “Lawrence County did a good job battling back and cut ourlead down to two points with five minutes to go. But our depth wastoo much for Lawrence County to handle down the stretch.”

The Cougars (8-4) were paced by Brandon Daniels, who provided agame-high 17 points and 4 rebounds. David Haynes netted 15 pointsand grabbed 9 rebounds. Antonio Batiste added 10 points.

“We started off a little slow in the first quarter,” said LCHScoach Pat Bridges. “The guys fought really hard and battled back.We just ran out of gas toward the end. Overall, I am very proud ofthe guys character to battle back.”

In JV action, the Brookhaven Panthers beat the Lawrence CountyCougars 37-22. Quan Hillard led the Panthers with 8 points. TheCougars were led by Travis Ruffin’s 9 points.