NATCHEZ — Even though the Natchez High Lady Bulldogs had mental lapses during their game against Warren Central Friday night, their defense made up for it as they ended up defeating the Lady Vikings 40-33.

Keyana Miller led Natchez High in scoring with a game-high 14 points while Zyaire Ewing contributed with eight points and Ernesha Chatman added seven points.

“I thought we did well. My senior class, I let them play the majority of the game,” Lady Bulldogs head coach Alphaka Moore said. “We need to improve on the mental mistakes, like turnovers. But I think they finished well under pressure. Everybody pitched in tonight. It wasn’t just one person.”

A close, low-scoring first quarter ended with Natchez High leading Warren Central 7-5. Both teams literally doubled their scoring output from the opening quarter as the Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Vikings 14-10 for a 21-15 halftime lead. The third quarter resembled the first quarter with Natchez High scoring eight points and holding Warren Central to seven points.

Natchez High (16-7) will be the No. 3 seed in the MHSAA Division 6-6A Tournament, which will take place on its home court, and will take on No. 2 seed Brandon in a first-round game Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Natchez High boys 53, Warren Central 44

Dearius Griffin led Natchez High with a game-high 22 points and JaDarrius Williams added 10 points as the Bulldogs defeated the Warren Central Vikings Friday night.

Natchez High didn’t get off to the start it wanted and trailed Warren Central 11-10 after one quarter of play. The Bulldogs took the lead in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 23-21 lead.

The Vikings stayed in the game in the early minutes of the third quarter, but the Bulldogs outscored them 16-12 for a 39-33 lead at the end of the quarter. Natchez High put the game away with a 14-11 advantage in the fourth quarter.

Warren Central was led by Mike Williams with 14 points while Kourcy Davis chipped in with seven points.

Natchez High (12-11) will be the No. 4 seed in the Division 6-6A Tournament and will take on No. 1 seed Terry at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.