NATCHEZ – The much-anticipated matchup that area hoop fans crave, materialized on night two of the Natchez High Hoops Classic. If only for a half.

The Natchez High Bulldogs shook off the pesky Jefferson County Tigers with a fierce third quarter surge to blow open a close game at the half and lift Natchez to an 18-point runaway, 63-45.

“They just came out with a lot of defensive intensity after halftime,” Jefferson County coach Marcus Walton said. “They put a lot of big pressure on us which led to easy baskets and that took the air out of us in the third quarter.”

Vasshun Newborne led the way with 15, and Je’Kel Foster sslashed his way to a 14-point effort as the Bulldogs (11-2) extended a 28-26 halftime lead to a 13-point bulge after three in front of nearly 1,000 fans, who hit the exits early in the fourth.

Bulldogs coach Mike Martin held a lengthy closed door meeting with his players afterward, and none were available for comment.

Burton Broudy also put up some of his usual numbers with 13 points, including two quick buckets early in the third that signaled the start of the NHS run. Delvin Thompson scored 11 to lead JCHS.

Lady Bulldogs 74, JCHS 43 In a game that was never in doubt, Mary Irving’s troops took care of business in a rout. Crystal Brown and Christen West pumped in 16 and 14 points, respectively, to continue coach Flora McKnight’s woes. Karmethia Mazique added 10 for NHS, who faces Ferriday in the tourney finale tonight. Travalyn Smith paced the Lady Tigers with 15, while Shaterrica Hall added 14.