In what was supposed to be a good first-round game at the 2014 Sunkist Shootout between MHSAA Class 5A Natchez High School and LHSAA Class 5A St. Augustine High School out of New Orleans, it did not take long for the Purple Knights to have the Bulldogs seeing purple and gold.

With a balanced offense led by Charles Brown’s game-high 18 points and a tenacious defense that kept Natchez High in check for three quarters, St. Augustine cruised to a 63-33 win Friday afternoon at the tournament which is held at St. Thomas More High School for the Bulldogs’ first loss of the season.

Six players for the Purple Knights ended up scoring at least six points. In both the first and third quarters, the Bulldogs narrowly exceeded that amount with seven points each.

St. Augustine (8-3) jumped out to a comfortable lead early and by the end of the first quarter it led Natchez High 19-7. The Bulldogs were able to get going offensively in the second quarter, yet they were still outscored by the Purple Knights 18-16 to go into halftime down 37-23.

But the Bulldogs sputtered in the second half. They were outscored by the Purple Knights 14-7 in the third quarter and 12-3 in the fourth quarter. Daryl Jones was the only Natchez High player to finish in double figures with 12 points. Ty’Ran Newman and Micheal Morris had six points apiece.

Caleb Daniels scored 11 points while Kelvin Jackson added nine points and Shaquille Duncan had eight points.

Natchez High (7-1) will take on Acadiana High School at 11:30 a.m. today. The Rams lost to Ellender High School 41-38 earlier in the day Friday.