Ryan Lewis hit a pull-up jumper with 2.5 seconds left to complete a fourth quarter comeback by Natchez and spoil the home opener for Warren Central Tuesday night.

Natchez pulled out a 55-53 decision after trailing by 11 early in the fourth quarter. The loss drops the Vikings to 0-2 in Chareck Cable’s first season.

Cable is currently serving a five-game suspension handed out by the Mississippi School Activities Association after his team practiced twice before the start of the Oct. 17 official practice date mandated by the MHSAA. Assistant coach Roderick Henderson is running the team in Cable’s absence. He said the Vikings had a golden chance at a win, but couldn’t close it out.

“We made too many turnovers down the stretch,” Henderson said.

The Vikings led 40-29 after a tip-in by Kourey Davis with a minute to play in the third quarter. Natchez closed to within four early in the fourth quarter, but a 3-pointer by WC sophomore Dedrick Trishy pushed the WC lead up to 49-42. Natchez answered with seven straight points from the free throw line, including three from Gary Woods after he was fouled on a 3-point attempt, to tie the game at 49.

A steal by Rashawn Smith gave WC its last lead at 53-51. Lewis tied the game with a driving layup with 1:15 left. WC had a shot to retake the lead, but Devin Johnson could not get his 5-footer to go and Natchez rebounded the miss with 55 seconds left.

The Bulldogs held for the last shot. With under five ticks left, Lewis made his move near the key and hit the 12-foot pull-up for the lead.

WC got off a last-ditch shot from Davis but it drew back iron.

The Vikings played steady through 31⁄2 quarters. Davis, playing center on defense, had 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks to go with six points. Johnson had 12 points and seven rebounds while Michelle Smith had 11 points and two assists.

“We played hard,” Henderson said. “But we also got in foul trouble in the fourth quarter and that hurt us.”

Lewis led Natchez with 12 points while Quincy Washington added 11.