MEADVILLE &045; Amite County has been able to stay atop the Region 7-3A standings this season with a patient offense and a tenacious defense.

That was until Tuesday night as Franklin County gave the visitors from Liberty a little taste of their own medicine, especially on defense, as the Bulldogs defeated the Trojans 50-40.

The win was huge as it moved Franklin County (14-3, 8-2) into a first-place tie with Amite County (14-5, 8-2) and both teams have two games left &045; including a showdown at Liberty next Tuesday night.

&uot;Every game’s a big win,&uot; Bulldogs head coach Chris Jordan said. &uot;This division’s awful tough.&uot;

Zach Thomas led Franklin County with 16 points. Ronny Williams added 12 points.

Franklin County held Amite County in single digits in the first quarter as they Bulldogs took a 22-15 halftime lead.

The Trojans cut the lead to three, 31-28, going into the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs put the game away with a 19-12 advantage in the final eight minutes.

&uot;They missed some shots that they normally make,&uot; Jordan said. &uot;They took good shots. They’re real patient. They make you play defense.&uot;

Jordan noted that the keys to his team’s big win were free-throw shooting and not giving up too many second-shot opportunities.

&uot;We were 15 of 29 at the free throw line,&uot; Jordan said. &uot;If we don’t get to the line, we don’t score 50.&uot;

Murrah 75, Natchez High 51

JACKSON &045; The Mustangs turned a close game into a blowout by dominating the second half en route to the 24-point win Tuesday night.

Natchez stayed close with Murrah throughout the first half and only trailed by five points, 34-29, at halftime.

But the second half was another story as the Mustangs showed why they could be a state title contender as they outscored Natchez (7-11) 17-9 in the third quarter and 24-13 in the fourth quarter.

Davidson 91, Block 64

ST. JOSEPH, La. &045; The Warriors scored no fewer than 20 points in all of the four quarters and their defense held Jeremy Washington to just four points on their way to an easy win in District 4-1A action Tuesday night.

Karry Washington led Davidson (6-9, 3-3) with 28 points and Frank Smith chipped in with 16 points.

Harrisonburg 58, Monterey 45

HARRISONBURG, La. &045; The Bulldogs took control of the game by dominating the first half and not letting the Wolves back in it to take a 13-point District 3-B win Tuesday night.

Ray McIntyre led the Bulldogs with 16 points and Ethan Boothe had 15 points.