NATCHEZ — A lot was on the line Thursday night as the University Academy Lions and ACCS Rebels clashed on the basketball court.

Two points separated the teams last season, and ACCS head coach Richy Spears said he and his team knew what was rolling into town.

“We knew what was coming and we just got up for them,” Spears said.

The Rebels also jumped out on the Lions in the game and went on to cruise to an 89-61 victory.

“It was a good test,” Spears said. “If somebody wants to run the floor with us, that is what we want to do. We were able to get out and get some layups and easy shots on them early and then hold course. There are some things we have to work on, but overall that was as well as we could have played transition wise.”

Shots from the Rebels continually found the bottom of the net and ACCS put up 28 and 26 points in the first two quarters to go up 54-35 heading into halftime.

But Spears wasn’t going to take his foot off the gas.

“I have to give it to the kids,” he said. “They never quit or slowed down. I’ve seen too many times where teams try and pull out too early and hold the ball and let teams back in the game. I didn’t want to do that.”

The Rebels didn’t, outscoring University Academy 35-26 in the second half to close out the victory.

Five ACCS players scored in double-digits led by Brandon Brooks with 19 points and Devin Spear with 18 points.

“We made some huge shots,” Spears said. “Going into half we were shooting 60 percent from three-point. We were shooting better from there than the free throw line.”

With the win, ACCS improved to 15-2 on the year and University Academy fell to 9-2.

Spears said his team still has a ways to go though, and needs to stay focused.

“I just hope we can come back down to earth and not get complacent so we can get where we need to be,” Spears said. “There are some good teams we’ve got coming up. Hopefully, we can get back focused and do what we’re supposed to do.”

Next up for ACCS is a clash with Amite School Center today at home.