VIDALIA, La. – The Ferriday Lady Trojans proved ungracious guests Saturday as they defeated their hosts 56-47 in the championship game of the Vidalia High School Ronnie Brown Invitational Tournament.

Ferriday (5-2) had 47 rebounds to the Lady Vikings’ 28, giving the Lady Trojans several second- and third-chance points.

&uot;They had a height advantage. We just couldn’t get to the ball,&uot; said Vidalia coach Lillian Johnson. &uot;It seemed like we were getting there, but we weren’t getting to the ball.&uot;

The Lady Vikings (4-2) jumped out to an early lead, but Ferriday tied the game late in the first quarter with a Monique Jones three-point shot. The Lady Trojans took the lead soon after and never relinquished it. The score was 31-16 at the half.

Jones, who scored a game-high 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, was one of three Lady Trojans with double-doubles. Latasha Cain had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Jessica Graves had 12 points, 11 boards, seven steals and two blocks.

&uot;Monique did an outstanding job on offense,&uot; said Ferriday coach Lisa Abron. &uot;I’ll give credit where credit is due. She kept us in the game.&uot;

Brendy Ellis led Vidalia with 15 points, although 13 of them came in the third quarter, when the Lady Vikings managed to whittle the Ferriday lead to only three.

&uot;Our defense won it,&uot; said Abron, whose team managed to extend its lead back to 11 points in the fourth quarter. &uot;Offenses score, but defenses win. That’s our motto.&uot;

&uot;This was a good game for us,&uot; Johnson said. &uot;This shows us where we stand. This was a good challenge.&uot;