NATCHEZ — The ACCS girls basketball team stole a district win Thursday night from Silliman, literally. The Lady Rebels capitalized on multiple steals that translated into fast break points as the Rebels defeated the Wildcats at home, 36-29.

“We have a complete team. It wasn’t pretty, but it’s a district win,” ACCS coach Melanie Hall said.

Late free throws by Taylor Welch put the nail in the coffin. Welch managed to make three free throw attempts within the final 28 seconds of the game, sealing the district victory for ACCS. The victory was an emotional one, and it hit harder for Silliman Institution and its players and coaches.

The first quarter came to a halt after Silliman had taken a 7-4 lead as one of their players fell to their floor, hitting her head. Kayla Davidson laid on the floor for 25 minutes as coaches and medical personnel tended to her. After being carted off the court, the gym was silent as a prayer was spoken by the Rev. Dan Ratcliff. Reports are that Davidson suffered a concussion.

Play resumed as the teary-eyed Silliman girls took command of the game and ended the first quarter with an 11-8 lead.

ACCS pulled within one as the first half ended with multiple fast break points. Brandis White took control on the defensive end from the start of the second quarter. White led the Lady Rebels in scoring with 15 points, despite sitting most of the second half due to foul trouble.

Melton, despite having only four points, made her presence felt on the defensive end, racking up multiple steals and forcing many turnovers.

After two quarters, the Wildcats took a 21-20 lead to the locker room.

In the second half, ACCS changed defenses, switching to a zone defense.

“Our defense was poor in the first half, we came out in a zone in the second half,” Hall said.

While White sat the third quarter with four fouls, the offense sputtered. ACCS managed just five points in the third quarter, but their intensity on defense kept them in the game, as Silliman, too, managed just five points.

“Our defensive intensity wasn’t good in the beginning. But, we persevered. To God be the glory, in victory or defeat,” Hall said.

ACCS grabbed its first lead of the game with 3:34 left in the third quarter. However, they trailed 26-25 headed to the final period.

In the fourth quarter, Brandis White returned to the court and lifted the offense. The Lady Rebels scored 11 in the fourth and held the lead throughout the period.

The aggressive defense paid off in the fourth quarter as well. Silliman managed just three points in the final period.

With just 4:57 to play in the game, the score was tied at 28 apiece. After giving up a free throw and trailing 29-28 with 3 minutes to play, Taylor Welch helped ACCS gather momentum with a 3-pointer, giving the Lady Rebels a 2-point lead. From there, ACCS played keep away with the Wildcats as they ran the clock down by maintaining possession of the ball and added on to their lead with free throws.

ACCS shot 9-18 from the free line, but managed to hit the shots when they counted most. Abby Givens and Taylor Welch added 4 points from the line with in the last minute of the game to push the lead to 7.

“In big games, free throws come up big,” Hall said.

Welch finished the game with 10 points and Abby Givens finished with seven.

Silliman boys 62, ACCS 52

The ACCS boys didn’t have the same success as the girls, as Silliman pulled away in the second half for a 10-point victory.

Silliman led just 23-20 at halftime, but outscored the Rebels 39-32 in the second half to pull out the victory.

Three players led the way for Silliman, as Trent Hornsby scored 19 points while Austin Gale and J.Q. Austin tallied 18 in the victory.

ACCS was led by James Moffett with 16 points and Brandon Walker with 13.

The Rebels dropped to 5-5 overall and 0-2 in district play with the loss.