NATCHEZ — Trinity’s time as the No. 1 ranked team in MPSA Class AA nearly came to an abrupt end Friday night against lowly Prairie View.

However, the Saints used an 8-0 run in the final 2:05 of the game to pull away for a 65-55 victory over the Spartans and remain perfect in District 3-AA.

Even though the Saints improved to 18-4 overall and 4-0 in district play, the game was too close for comfort against a Spartan team that dropped to 0-4 in district play with the loss.

Trinity coach David King was not happy with the team’s sloppy performance.

“The bottom line is I didn’t have my team prepared to play tonight,” King said. “This was the worst coaching job I’ve ever done. They were not ready to play tonight and that is my fault.”

Trinity led just 32-27 at halftime and never led by more than four points for much of the second half.

Prairie View cut the lead to 57-55 with 2:32 remaining in the fourth quarter and looked poised to pull the shocking upset.

However, following a timeout, Bryant Pearson scored to put the Saints back up by four points and give them some breathing room.

Two free throws by Brandon Daggs upped the lead to six points and Jackson Bryant and Kent King scored buckets in the final minute to finally put the game on ice.

Daggs led the Saints with 23 points while Bryant scored 14 in the win.

Prairie View was led by Bonner Bordolon with 17 points and Robby Jones with 11.

Trinity plays three games in four days, beginning today against WCCA. They then take on Cathedral on Monday and Adams County Christian on Tuesday.

“I assure all loyal Trinity fans that we’ll be ready for the game (tonight),” King said.

Prairie View girls 45, Trinity 33

Prairie View jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 12-point win over the Lady Saints Friday night.

The Lady Spartans led 15-7 at the end of the first quarter and took a 25-11 lead into halftime.

The Lady Saints gamely fought back in the second half — outscoring the Lady Spartans 22-20 — but the deficit was too much to overcome.

Trinity fell to 14-10 overall and 2-1 in District 3-AA play with the loss.

Caroline Ketchings led the Lady Saints with 11 points while Leslie Pomeroy and Madelyn Cross had six points each.

Prairie View was led by Caroline Oliphant with 14 points and Caroline Coats with 11.