NATCHEZ &8212; A hot-shooting second half by Raymond eliminated any chance of a Natchez High comeback, turning a six-point game at halftime into a 68-46 win Wednesday night in the Natchez High Classic at Mary Jean Irving Memorial Gym.

After a slow start, the Bulldogs fought back to tie the game at 23 late in the second quarter before Raymond went on a 6-0 run to take a 29-23 halftime lead.

The third quarter was an entirely different story, as four three-pointers and stiff defense pushed the lead to 47-30.

Armon Higgins of Raymond led all scorers with 20 points. Jason Bruce and Lorenzo Chatman each scored 11 points to lead Natchez.

Following the game, senior Cameron Logan, who scored seven points on the night, said intensity had been the difference.

&8220;They were a little bit more aggressive than us,&8221; he said. &8220;They made more plays than we did.&8221;

The game became very physical in the second half, with each team sending someone to the deck on virtually every possession.

DeShawn Griggs had his lip busted with about one minute remaining in the game.

Joe McCoy, 17, and Jared Lewis, 12, each scored in double figures for Raymond.

The loss dropped the Bulldogs&8217; record to 1-4 on the young season, and Logan said a change in attitude would be needed to turn things around.

&8220;We&8217;re being selfish,&8221; he said. &8220;We&8217;re not playing team ball. We&8217;ve got to practice harder and play better as a team.&8221;

The classic will continue tonight, as Natchez will face Franklin County at 8:30 and Raymond will face Ferriday at 5:30.