HOUSTON - Houston junior Chancedy Pulliam is never asked to give her team an offensive boost.

But it was what Pulliam did on the defensive end that helped lead the Lady Toppers to the Class 3A North Mississippi championship Saturday night.

Pulliam limited Aberdeen junior standout Jameika Hoskins to just nine points, including just two field goals, as Houston defeated Aberdeen 49-46.

Entering the game, Puliiam kept repeating two words over in her head.

"Stop her, stop her, stop her," she said.

It was Houston's first Class 3A North title since 1985, and also marked the program's first trip to Jackson since that same year.

Houston (26-2) doesn't play again until 1 p.m. March 3 in the semifinals. Aberdeen (27-7) plays its state opener at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday against the South's No. 3 seed.

In the previous two games, Hoskins had averaged 34 points, including 35 in Friday's semifinal win against Alcorn Central.

"We have played them so many times, counting this summer," said Houston coach Dana Buchanan. "Every time we played them, it just gave Chancedy more and more confidence.

"As good as Hoskins is offensively, Chancedy is also that good, defensively. She plays harder than any player I've ever seen on defense. Every night she gives everything she has on defense."

Aberdeen held a 29-25 advantage at the break and then stretched its lead to 35-30 entering the fourth quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs managed to keep their lead with just over three minutes left in regulation.

WIth a 41-37 lead, the Lady Bulldogs had a chance to increase their lead but missed a golden opportunity.

"We had what I feel like a game-ending layup," said Aberdeen head coach Cloyd Garth. "If Hoskins makes that layup then we go up by five or six and the game's probably over."

Houston took advantage with an 8-1 run, and took the lead for good on Tynita Baker's 3-pointer with 1:11 left to play.

It was Baker's third trey of the game as the sophomore led the Lady Toppers with 17 points.

Pulliam produced the final margin of victory by knocking down four free throws in the final 46 seconds.

Dayana McGee led Aberdeen with 12 points.

Houston senior Kennyatah Wofford had nine points - all on 3-pointers.

Alcorn Central 61, Senatobia 54

Tatum Lewis scored 21 points and Chelsea Whitaker added 20 as Alcorn Central (29-4) clinched a berth in the state tournament.

Whitaker drilled 6-of-6 free throws in the final minute to help her team preserve the victory in the consolation game.

Central plays at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Jackson against the South's No. 2 seed.

Xtras...

Much more on this game later today.