FERRIDAY, La. – News must travel slow across the river, because nobody told the Ferriday Trojans they were playing the best team in Mississippi.

The Natchez Bulldogs outlasted the Trojans Tuesday for a 69-62 win at Ferriday High School.

At several points in the game, it appeared the Bulldogs (20-2) were pulling away, but the Trojans answered each time.

&uot;The kids didn’t give up,&uot; said Ferriday coach James Davis. &uot;They just continued to work had. That’s all I can ask.&uot;

Natchez took an early 19-10 lead, but Lawrence Washington’s three-pointer cut the Bulldogs’ lead to only three in the second quarter. Natchez lead 27-30 at the half.

Ja’Kel Foster scored nine points in the third quarter to help put the Bulldogs up 45-35, but Jackie Thomas opened the fourth quarter with a pair of steals and baskets that cut the Natchez lead to two.

The Bulldogs’ lead lasted through the final minutes of the game, causing Ferriday to foul. Vasshun Newborne nailed both of his free throughs to ice the win.

Foster and Jamal Bouldin each scored 17 points for Natchez and Newborne added 15.

Ferriday (12-10) was led by Jason Scott’s 25 points. Derrick Williams, who shot 7-of-8 from the free-throw line, added 18.

The Lady Trojans had a bit more success, defeating the Lady Bulldogs 74-63.

&uot;It was a non-district game, so it really didn’t matter,&uot; said Ferriday coach Lisa Abron. &uot;But we’ll take it.&uot;

All of Ferriday’s points were scored by the starting five. Monique Jones scored a game-high 27 points for the Lady Trojans (18-7). LaShawnda Pryor – who also notched eight steals – scored 17, Latasha Cain scored 14 and Torisheka Taylor had 12.

Kristen West scored 15 points off the bench to lead the Lady Bulldogs (13-7). Angel Taylor scored 14 points, Chrystal Sylvester had 12 and Crystal Brown added 11.

Both schools return to district action Friday. Ferriday travels to McCall while Natchez hosts Forest Hill.