The Vicksburg Gators inched closer to a Division 3-4A regular season basketball championship with a 77-53 throttling of Yazoo County on Thursday.

Jonathan Phelps scored a game-high 27 points, Kelsey Howard had 16 and Mychal Ammons chipped in 11 as the Gators improved to 22-5 and 10-2 in the division.

Vicksburg led 16-2 at the end of the first quarter, held a 13-point halftime lead and used a 27-point third-quarter to blow the game open.

The Missy Gators had a much harder time with its matchup, falling to highly regarded Yazoo County 75-44.

The 24-3 Lady Panthers held Vicksburg scoreless in the first quarter as they took an 18-0 lead into the second. At halftime, Yazoo County led 41-8.

Alexus Stirgus scored 15 points to lead Vicksburg, while Taylor Ammons chipped in 11.