COLUMBIA — The Trinity Episcopal Saints pulled off a major upset in the MPSA Class AA South State Championship game, stunning previously undefeated Bowling Green 50-38 Saturday night.

The Saints jumped out to a 16-7 lead after one quarter and led throughout the game en route to the 12-point victory.

It was the ninth time in the past 11 years the Saints have played for the South State title, and this is their first South State Championship in Class AA.

“Nobody gave us much of a chance against Bowling Green,” Trinity coach David King said. “We challenged the seniors to step up. It was a pressure-packed atmosphere and we had to put it in the seniors’ hands.”

King praised seniors Matthew Freeman, Parker Brumfield, Kyle Ketchings and Langdon Morrison for the leadership they provided in this game and the entire season.

“The leadership we got from our seniors is as good as you can get,” King said.

Freeman in particular had a great game, scoring 20 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.

Brandon Daggs and Andrew Johnson also scored in double figures for Trinity with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Bowling Green was led by Trevor Thomas with 14 points. He was the only Bowling Green player in double figures.

The Saints used a 2-3 zone defense, which seemed to throw off Bowling Green’s offensive attack, King said.

“We played great defense tonight,” King said. “To hold a team like Bowling Green to just 38 points shows you how hard we played tonight.”

The Saints will move on to the State Tournament, which will take place at Kirk Academy in Grenada.

Brackets for that tournament will be released today.

Claiborne Academy girls 72, Tensas Academy 49

RAYMOND — Tensas Academy’s run through the Class A South State Tournament came to an end in the championship game, as they fell to top seeded Claiborne Academy.

Tensas led after one quarter and trailed only 34-31 at halftime, but were outscored 38-18 in the second half as Claiborne pulled away for the victory.

Kaitlen Emfinger led Tensas with 23 points while Jordan Leake scored 11 and Mary Miller Ratcliff chipped in with eight.

Claiborne had four players in double figures led by Chaise Simpson with 26 points.

Morgan Simpson scored 18, Carli Newell had 16 and Laney Heckel tallied 10 in the winning effort.

Despite the loss, Tensas will advance to the State Tournament which will take place at Delta Academy.