r 47-34 win over Winona last Thursday, the Quitman Bulldogs came out blazing at Mt. Vernon Friday night, winning 66-49 after hustling to an 18-9 first quarter lead over the Tigers.

The Bulldogs hit four of their 10 successful three-point shots in the game in the first quarter. After Mt. Vernon took a 2-0 lead, Brady Floyd bombed in a triple and Levi Thompson hit a jump shot giving the Bulldogs a 5-2 lead.

The Tigers cut it to 5-4, but junior Payton Sapp hit a triple from the deep right corner followed by another trey from the left corner to put Quitman up 11-4 , and the Bulldogs never looked back. Leading 11-6, the Bulldogs got a triple and bucket from Hunter Jacobs followed by a Floyd drive for a score to take an 18-7 lead. The Tigers got a late bucket and Quitman was up 18-9 after one stanza.

The Bulldogs separated themselves from the Tigers with an 18-4 dominant run in the second quarter to take a commanding 36-13 lead at intermission. The Bulldog defensive effort kept Mt. Vernon to four free throws and no field goals in the quarter. The Bulldogs went on a 16-0 run to start the second quarter, hitting on 8-11 free throws and a triple by Sapp. 

Both teams came out firing in the third quarter as each recorded four triples. Quitman treys were by Floyd with two, Sapp and a long one from the top of the key by Carter Smith. Leading 52-30 with under a minute to go in the third quarter, Floyd popped in a triple and added 3-3 from the free throw line after being fouled with 18 seconds to go.

The Tigers closed the gap in the final quarter hitting three more triples, but it was not enough as Quitman held on for the 66-49 win.

For the game, Floyd hit for 21 points, Sapp had 19, with Jacobs and Thompson each scoring 11. Landon Richey and Ethan Presley dominated under the basket, especially on the defensive end. Jacobs led the team in rebounding with eight.

On Thursday, Quitman and Winona were tied at 12-12 after one quarter, but the Bulldogs used an 11-2 second quarter to take a 23-12 lead at the half. Quitman came back in the second half to maintain their lead and finally win the contest 47-34.

Against Winona, Floyd connected for 19 points with Thompson adding 12. Floyd, Jacobs and Richey each had six rebounds for the Bulldogs. 

This is a big week for the Bulldogs. Mt. Pleasant Chapel Hill and Mineola are fighting for the top spot in district with Quitman and Winnsboro fighting it out for the third place slot for the state playoffs. After hosting Winnsboro Tuesday, the Bulldogs finish the season with Mineola at home Friday and at Chapel Hill Feb. 14.