The Natchez Bulldogs crossed the river and conquered the unbeaten Vidalia Vikings 65-63 Tuesday night. The fast paced action started with David Haywood scoring the first points of the game for Natchez. Vidalia quickly countered with buckets from Dariel Mays and Ronald Ellis.

The Viking’s Jarvis Vaughn made his presence known early with a thundering dunk. After the slam, Vaughn caught fire and started hitting running jumpers as well as the long range bombs. Vaughn finished with 25-points

By halftime Vidalia was clinging to a tenuous 35-31 lead.

Haywood began the second half with a scoring barrage. Haywood scored 5 of his 13-points in the third quarter.

Also chipping in for the Bulldogs was Jamal Boudin with 14-points along with two key three pointers.

Derek Jarvis scored 8-points and grabbed key rebounds to protect the Bulldog’s slim lead.

&uot;We went about it the hard way,&uot; Natchez coach Mike Martin said. &uot;We knew we couldn’t put them on the free throw line but we did any way. We had to make up for their free throws by hitting more field goals.&uot;

Vidalia hit 18 of 26 free throws compared to the Bulldogs’ 7 of 12. The Bulldogs hit 22 field goals to Vidalia’s 19.

David Haywood could only watch from the bench after fouling out of the game.

&uot;I fouled out and my teammates had to pick up the slack,&uot; Haywood said. &uot;I don’t think I ever sat down. This was a great win for us.&uot;

Edwin Harris hit the winning shot for the Bulldogs. The shot that silenced the Vikings was a running floater down the lane.

&uot;The lane opened up and I just took the shot,&uot; Harris said. &uot;Their man was pressing me all the way up the court. I beat him on a cross-over dribble. I’m just glad it went in.&uot;

The Bulldogs get another chance to beat another unbeaten team Friday as they entertain district foe Forest Hill.