The Florala Wildcats put up a strong fight, but a big third period allowed the Paxton Bulldogs to come away with a 74-53 on Saturday in Paxton.

In the opening period, both teams came out on a mission and lit up the scoreboard.

The lead went back-and-forth throughout the opening frame.

Mekhi James led the way for the Wildcats with five points in the first period.

Shun White had a big bucket and free throw in the period.

Antone Stone and Rashaad Coleman each knocked down a 3-pointer and Zacchaeus Reese added one point.

Paxton’s Chris Varnum was on fire in the first period as he had eight points as the Bulldogs took a 14-13 lead into the second period.

Both teams continued their offensive assaults into the second period.

White had four points in the second period to pace the Wildcats.

Stone and Coleman knocked down one 3-pointer each for the Wildcats.

James and Nealand Stone had two points each, but the Wildcats trailed 33-27 going into halftime.

Varnum had eight more points in the second period to lead the Bulldogs.

In the third period, the Bulldogs came out charging as they were able to build a big lead.

White had seven points in the third period and Coleman tacked on two points as the Wildcats trailed 56-36 heading into the final frame.

L Sanders was on fire for the Bulldogs as he knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and finished the third period with 11 points.

Z Williams added six points and Varnum tacked on four points to help the Bulldogs take a 20-point lead into the fourth period.

Despite being down big, the Wildcats weren’t going to go away without a fight.

Florala continued to dig in and find ways to put the ball on the basket.

A. Stone popped another big 3-pointer for the Wildcats to help cut into the lead.

Coleman also added another 3-pointer and connected on a pair of free throws for the Wildcats.

White’s big night continued with six more points in the fourth period.

Reese was money from the free-throw line as he went 3-for-4 in the final period.

Despite the Wildcats’ strong efforts in the final period, Paxton’s large lead proved too much for the Wildcats to overcome in the final period.

A Wright picked up the scoring for the Bulldogs in the fourth period.

Wright finished the fourth period with 12 points.

Sanders went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the fourth period and was 7-for-7 from line for the game.

As a team, Paxton shot 24-for-27 from the free-throw line.

Florala shot 13-for-22 from the free throw line.

White led the Wildcats with 20 points.

Coleman finished the game with 13 points.

A. Stone tacked on nine points.

James came in with five points.

Reese finished the night with four points.

N. Stone rounded out the scoring with two points.

The Wildcats will be back in action tonight at home with an area contest against the Kinston Bulldogs.

B-team action kicks off at 4:30 p.m., followed by varsity girls and then varsity boys.