NATCHEZ &8212; A valiant effort was not enough for the Natchez High Bulldogs Friday night at Mary Jean Irving Memorial Gymnasium, as they fell to Forest Hill 68-65 in overtime.

Cameron Logan led Natchez with 20 points, and DeShawn Griggs scored 17 before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter.

Terrell Kennedy led the Rebels with 18 points.

After trailing by as many as 10 points in the first half, the Bulldogs clawed their way back into the game and took the lead twice in the second half.

The key play came with just over a minute left in the game, with Forest Hill nursing a 62-61 lead.

Natchez point guard Jason Bruce reached in for the steal, got the ball and was driving down the court before being called for a foul. He slammed the ball in protest, drawing a technical foul as well.

&8220;I just felt like they stole a basket from us,&8221; Bruce said. &8220;I didn&8217;t mean to get the technical. It was frustrating.&8221;

Forest Hill got a 1-and-1 and the technical foul shots, but only managed one point. Upon getting the ball back, the Rebels lost the ball, and the Bulldogs tied it up, sending the game into overtime.

Natchez had several opportunities in the extra frame, but could only score two points, giving Forest Hill (11-1) the win.

&8220;We just needed to play better,&8221; Griggs said.

&8220;We needed to go for a few more loose balls and play better defense,&8221; said Bruce.

The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 4-6 on the season, and 0-2 in region play.

Griggs said Natchez&8217;s only hope would be to get out of its funk.

&8220;We&8217;ve really got to play better,&8221; he said. &8220;We need to play better as a team.&8221;

Natchez will take on Franklin County Tuesday in Meadville.