LAFAYETTE, La. – The third-ranked Natchez High Bulldogs overcame a slow start to defeat Lafayette High 67-39 in the first round of the Sunkist Shootout Tournament at St. Thomas More High School in Lafayette.

Jamal Bouldin led Natchez (15-1) with 18 points, Vasshun Newborne had 15 points and Derek Jarvis added 10 points.

Natchez got off to a sluggish start in the first quarter and led Lafayette by only two points, 15-13, at the end of the quarter.

&uot;We started out slow, but we picked it up in the second and third quarters, and we played like we should play,&uot; Bouldin said.

Natchez’s defense held Lafayette to only two points in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.

&uot;We played good defense,&uot; Bouldin said. &uot;Every time they threw it, we stole it.&uot;

&uot;Everybody played hard in the third quarter,&uot; Newborne said. &uot;We stayed out of foul trouble in the third quarter.&uot;

Julion Parsons led Lafayette with 11 points and Jake Chapman had eight points.

Natchez advances to the winner’s bracket and will face Jesuit of New Orleans at 4 p.m today.

Jesuit defeated Central Catholic Wednesday to advance to the winner’s bracket.