Canton came in wanting to run and gun. Vicksburg’s stifling defense made that a no-go.

The Gators forced Canton into 24 turnovers and won their sixth straight game with a 59-45 decision over the visiting Tigers. The win concluded a four-game homestand and sends Vicksburg into the Thanksgiving break at 6-1.

Vicksburg coach Dellie C. Robinson credited a switch to man-to-man defense in the second half as the key for his Gators.

“The man-to-man defense really slowed them down,” Robinson said. “We played it pretty tough and kept them out of the paint.”

Canton’s frustrations boiled over with 40 seconds left when Lamarcus Jones tried to start a fight, but the Gators did not retaliate, and Jones was ejected by the game officials.

Robinson, who coached at Canton before coming to Vicksburg, was disappointed in his former school.

“It’s been getting that way with them for the last two years,” Robinson said. “Last year, over there, one of their guys hit Red (Edward Davis) in the head on a hard foul and it gave him a concussion. He was out two games.”

Romeo Carter said the rough play didn’t faze the Gators, who have higher aspirations.

“Oh yeah, they were dirty,” Carter said. “But we feel like we have a team that can go to the (Mississippi) Coliseum.”

Carter and DeAngelo Richardson did their part Tuesday night.

Carter scored nine of his 13 points in the first half. Carter put the Gators ahead a 3-pointer that gave them a 26-17 lead. It was the fourth of five 3-pointers in the second quarter when Vicksburg erased a 13-11 lead.

Canton was still within 11 points at 46-35, when a 3-pointer by Richardson ended any comeback hopes with 6:08 left.

Richardson had 15 points, four assists and three steals to lead the Gators. DeAndre King had five points, five rebounds and four assists while Davis had nine points and three steals.

Canton got 15 points from Ondarius Hamlin and 12 from Daron Dixon.

(G) Canton 62, Vicksburg 43

Canton remained unbeaten at 6-0 with an easy win over the Missy Gators. The loss concluded a four-game homestand for Vicksburg at 2-2 and dropped them to 3-4 overall.

Ashley Bills had 17 points to lead Canton, which used a 17-8 second quarter to lead 29-18 at the half. Ama Arkoful had 17 points to lead Vicksburg.