NATCHEZ — Brandis White caught fire in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, leading the Lady Rebels in scoring with 20 points against district opponent Brookhaven Academy.

But as strong a night as White had offensely, it was her five fouls that proved just as pivotal for the Lady Rebels’ chances. White tallied her fifth foul with 5:39 remaining in the final period, and the Lady Cougars outscored the Lady Rebels 10-5 in the remaining minutes, winning 63-54.

“The other girls stepped up, and that’s what we all bring to this team, but anytime your playmaker goes out, it’s huge,” ACCS girls coach Melanie Hall said.

Even with the loss, Hall said she was proud of the way her girls fought and battled throughout the game.

“I felt like it was a very hard-fought ball game between two good basketball teams,” Hall said. “We always say, in victory or defeat, to God be the glory. Hopefully, we’ll get another chance at (Brookhaven Academy) in the district tournament, or maybe even further down the road.”

Brookhaven led 17-16 after the first quarter, with White tallying just two points in the opening period. ACCS’s Tory Laird hit a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter and continued putting up points in the second quarter, tallying seven of the Lady Rebels’ 17. White added six points in the second quarter, but the Lady Rebels trailed 36-33 at the half.

White picked up steam in the third quarter, scoring the opening four points of the period and also sank a three-pointer with 1:39 left in the quarter. But White drew her third foul during the period and was called for a technical foul after reacting to the call. The Lady Rebels trailed 47-44 after three.

White hit a field goal with 6:32 left and followed up with a three-point basket at the 5:56 mark before fouling out.

Laird finished with 13 points and Abby Givens scored 12 points for ACCS. Brookhaven’s Terah Winborne led in scoring with 20 points and Laura Beth Wright had 19 points. Carey Crozier totaled 15 points for the Lady Cougars.

ACCS was just four for 13 in free throws, which Hall said made a big difference

“We missed a lot of free throws, but we have been doing better,” Hall said.

ACCS fell to 21-4 overall, 1-3 in district.

Brookhaven Academy 75, ACCS boys 16

No player scored in double digits for the Rebel boys as they fell to 1-17 on the season.

ACCS’s Ryan Strong led in scoring with five points, and Ben Moffett had four points. ACCS trailed 68-8 at the half.

ACCS will host Trinity Episcopal Tuesday.