JACKSON — The Natchez High Lady Bulldogs made sure they would not leave the JPS/Pepsi Christmas Tournament without a win as they took care of the Provine High School Lady Rams 58-41 Monday morning.

The two-time defending MHSAA Class 5A state champion Lady Bulldogs dominated Provine for much of the first half. Natchez High took an 18-10 lead after one quarter of play and then outscored the Lady Rams 14-5 in the second quarter for a commanding 32-15 halftime lead.

The second half was as even as it could get as Natchez High outscored Provine 13-12 in the third quarter, while the Lady Rams outscored the Lady Bulldogs 14-13 in the fourth quarter.

“We played really well in the first game. We improved in a lot of areas,” Natchez High head coach Alphaka Moore said.

Kirdis Clark led the Lady Bulldogs with 22 points while Ernesha Chatman had 15 points and Skylar Morgan added 10 points.

That was the first of two games that Natchez High would play at the Lanier High School gym. The Lady Bulldogs fell to the Warren Central High School Lady Vikings 42-36 Monday afternoon.

Natchez High got off to a good start and led Warren Central 15-11. But the Lady Vikings took advantage of a tiring Lady Bulldogs team and outscored them in each of the final three quarters.

“The second game, they just ran out of gas,” Moore said.

Once again, Clark led Natchez High in scoring with 15 points while Morgan had nine points and Chatman chipped in with eight points.

The Lady Bulldogs were without the presence of senior post player Zyaire Ewing. Moore said Ewing missed the tournament due to a knee injury.

Natchez High (9-6) will next play at Ferriday on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016 at 6 p.m.

Canton Academy 45, ACCS 37

BROOKHAVEN — After getting off to a good start, Adams County Christian School kept making one uncharacteristic mistake after another and Canton Academy took advantage en route to a 45-37 win Monday afternoon at the Brookhaven Academy Christmas Classic.

The Lady Rebels’ press defense held the Lady Panthers to just two points, but they were only up by six points at the end of the first quarter. Canton Academy went on a tear in the second quarter and outscored ACCS 20-14 to make it a 22-22 game at halftime.

“We got in foul trouble early. We were out of position on defense (in the second quarter),” Lady Rebels head coach Melanie Hall said.

ACCS held a slim one-point lead at the end of the third quarter, but Canton Academy put up 18 points in the fourth quarter. The Lady Rebels managed just nine points in the fourth.

“We had too many fouls. We were 40 percent from the free-throw line. We missed 30 lay-ups. You have to play well offensively and defensively,” Hall said.

Bailey Boyd led the Lady Rebels in scoring with 11 points while Anna McDaniel and Ashleigh Williams had seven points each.

ACCS (9-4) plays again at the Brookhaven Academy Christmas Classic against Riverfield Academy at 3 p.m. today.

Forest 58, Wilkinson County 56 (OT)

MCCOMB — Wilkinson County High School played one of its best games of the season against a good Forest High School team, only to come up short in overtime as the Lady Bearcats escaped with a 58-56 win over the Lady Wildcats Monday afternoon at the McComb High School Holiday Classic.

Forest took a 23-20 lead into halftime, but Wilkinson County showed some resolve and outscored the Lady Bearcats 16-14 in the third quarter and 15-14 in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime tied at 51-all. But the Lady Bearcats outscored the Lady Wildcats 7-5 in the extra session.

Miesha Norman scored 15 points and Dominique Williams had 10 points to lead the Lady Wildcats in scoring. JJ Spive finished with a game-high 21 points and Kym Amor added 10 points to lead Forest.

Wilkinson County (no record available) will take on Poplarville at noon Wednesday at the McComb High School Holiday Classic.

Trinity 51, Brookhaven Academy 26

BROOKHAVEN — The Trinity Lady Saints jumped out to an early lead against tournament hosts Brookhaven Academy and never turned back, cruising to a 51-26 victory.

D’Asia Mitchell led the Lady Saints with 16 points and teammate Dionna Jackson chipped in with 14.

Trinity held Brookhaven Academy to single-digits in points in three of the four quarters, while the Lady Saints put up strong quarters of 15 and 20 points.

With the win, Trinity im-proved to 9-3 overall.

The Lady Saints resume action at 1:30 p.m. today against Canton Academy.

Cathedral 68, Christian Collegiate 34

HATTIESBURG — The Cathedral Lady Wave used a strong start and an all-around team scoring effort to top Christian Collegiate Academy 68-34 Monday in the Sacred Heart tournament.

With the win, the Lady Wave improved to 10-3 on the year and advanced to the tournament championship game where they will take on Stringer at 6 p.m.

Three Lady Wave players scored in double-figures with Elizabeth Smith leading the way with 13 points, Grayson Bryant adding 11 and Natalie Fletcher chipping in with 10.