FLOWOOD — Although they’ve transitioned to a more traditional style of offense, the Vicksburg Gators showed on Friday that they’re still more than capable of upping the tempo and running an opponent out of the gym if they want to.

The Gators hit three 3-pointers and scored 33 points in the third quarter, using a 16-0 run to sprint away from Hillcrest Christian and to a 65-30 win in the Northwest Rankin Holiday Tournament.

“I thought we’d come out flat the first half. We couldn’t make shots, couldn’t get our outside shots to go down,” Vicksburg coach Dellie C. Robinson said. “That second half we came out, got going, pushed the ball down the floor and got some easy layups and 3-point shots. Once we got going, it was pretty much over with.”

K.J. Murphy and Tyler Smith combined to hit three 3-pointers and score 19 points in the third quarter, when Vicksburg outscored Hillcrest 33-6.

Hillcrest didn’t score in the third quarter until Bryce Baker hit two free throws with 2:40 left. Baker’s layup with 15 seconds to go was his team’s only field goal and made it 54-21 at the end of the period.

Vicksburg had a 20-point lead by the time Baker made his free throws to snap the 16-0 run.

Baker finished with eight points. Justin Moore led Hillcrest (12-2) with 12 points.

“I told them we’ve got to come to play. We came in sluggish and weren’t ready to play. They realized, ‘Hey, we’re going to have to play some ball to get away from these guys.’ They certainly stepped up that third quarter,” Robinson said.

Khris Walker, Kirk Parker and Stefan Young added 10 points apiece for Vicksburg (9-3), which will play Clinton tonight at 6:30 in the second of three round-robin tournament games. The Gators will finish their run Monday at 12:30 p.m. against Terry.

“The next two games are certainly going to get us going for district, because we’re going to have to play some good ball to win,” Robinson said.

(G) Velma Jackson 56, Vicksburg 37

Tyasia Willis scored 10 of her 22 points in the third quarter as Velma Jackson pulled away from Vicksburg in the Northwest Rankin Holiday Tournament.

Victoria Johnson added 11 points and Patrice Tate had eight for Velma Jackson (11-2), which outscored the Missy Gators 24-7 in the third quarter to open up a 19-point lead.

Vicksburg’s Karry Callahan had her fourth triple-double of the season, with 11 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists. She also had four steals.

Ruddie Shears added nine points, six rebounds and two blocked shots for the Missy Gators (8-4), who were 17-of-68 shooting (25 percent) from the field, and an even more dreadful 3-for-16 at the foul line.

VHS will play in the consolation round today at 9:30 a.m. against Pelahatchie, then again on Monday, at 9:30 or 11 a.m. against an opponent to be determined.