CLINTON — With a chance to take over first place in Division 4-6A, the fifth-ranked Vicksburg Gators seized the moment.

The Gators shot 75 percent in the second quarter to crush Clinton 81-46 Friday night at the Arrows Gym.

Vicksburg (17-2, 4-1) turned a 20-17 deficit into a 16-2 run capped by Mychal Ammons’ one-handed windmill dunk. It gave the Gators a 35-22 halftime lead.

The second half saw Vicksburg smash the Arrows’ will to play. The Gators hit their first seven shots of the third quarter and eight different Gators scored as coach Dellie C. Robinson’s team took a commanding 62-33 lead.

“When Mike is blocking shots like he did and making dunks, Kelsey is hitting his shots, and our guards play as well as they did, we’re tough,” Robinson said. “Clinton did some good things early with their sets, but talent will catch up with you.”

Vicksburg had too many weapons and overwhelmed the Arrows (8-11, 1-1) with multiple options, primarily guards Dominique Brown, Roosevelt Harris and Kevin Brown. Dominique Brown had 11 points, seven assists and four of 16 steals by the Gators.

“We played good defense and we just had good teamwork,” Brown said.

The Gators made 19-of-26 shots in the second half and shot 33-of-50 (66 percent) overall.

Howard led with 16 points. Ammons had 15 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and four assists while Chris Miller chipped in 11 points and five rebounds.

Clinton was led by Terrance Staten and Octavis Harper with 10 points each.

Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com