Jefferson County pulled out a 78-64 victory over Natchez High in front of a packed home crowd Friday night.

Both teams went at each other like two heavy weight contenders in a title bout during the first half. The Bulldogs set the pace of the game early in the first quarter, but the Tigers, led by KaDon Day, who scored 11 points in the first, matched Natchez shot for shot.

At the conclusion of the first period both teams were tied at 18.

“Our kids came out and attacked Natchez on the defensive end,” Jefferson County boys’ head coach Marcus Walton said. “That was the difference in the ball game.”

In the second quarter, Jefferson County picked up the tempo and took an early lead. The Bulldogs battled back, but early foul trouble forced Natchez to go to their bench for support while the Tigers tried to build a lead at the free throw line. The Tigers used their free throw opportunities to take a 37-33 lead into the locker room at the half.

“In the first half we played as a team. In the second half we played the same, but started forcing things,” Jason Bruce, who turned in 20 points for the Bulldogs, said.

The second half began similar to the first with the Bulldogs making a run early in an attempt to regain the lead. The Tigers countered back in the final two and a half minutes of the quarter to cling to a 53-50 lead.

In the end foul trouble combined with inconsistent shooting by Natchez resulted in Jefferson County outscoring the Bulldogs 25-14 in the final quarter to seal the deal.

The Bulldogs came as close as 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers capitalized on free throws to land the knock-out punch in the rivalry match up.

“We did well at getting them in transition and beating them on the boards in spurts,” Bruce said.

Walton said he was pleased to get the much, needed win after losing two out of the last three games on the road at the buzzer.

“It’s always good too, anytime you can bring two communities that are as close as Fayette and Natchez together,” he added.

Natchez High 69, Jefferson County 57

The Natchez High Lady Bulldogs built up enough momentum in the second quarter to carry them to a 69-57 victory over Jefferson County.

After going back and forth with the Lady Tigers in the first quarter and building a 12-10, the Lady Bulldogs outscored Jefferson County 20-11 in the second quarter.

Keairra Jones scored eight points for Natchez during the big quarter, and the Lady Bulldogs took a 32-21 at the half.

“Teamwork was the key for us,” Natchez girls’ head coach Sue Johnson said.

She said she was impressed with the play of Jones, Keosha Bradley, Stacey Hutchins, Skyler Chaney and Ebony Stewart.

The momentum carried over into the second half for Natchez, as the Lady Bulldogs had several lay up opportunities as a result of the Lady Tiger’s soft defense.

The Lady Tigers used their full court press to increase the pressure and force the Lady Tigers into several turnovers. By the end of the end of the period, Natchez led Jefferson County 51-38.

Natchez remained aggressive in the fourth quarter, but missed several close shots. Jefferson County countered by making several shots and forcing the Lady Bulldogs into several fouls that resulted in multiple trips to the free throw line by the Lady Tigers.

But as a team, the Lady Tigers were 17-40 from the free throw line during the game, and the Lady Bulldogs were able to pull out the 69-57 victory.

“That was the main key in the loss,” Jefferson County girls’ head coach Flora McKnight. said.