Trinity Episcopal endured a close 45-44 overtime loss to Riverdale Academy in the consolation game of the Mississippi Private School Association Class A state basketball tournament at University Christian School Saturday night.

Despite three Saints scoring in double figures, their efforts were not enough to stop the Rebels’ conservative half court offense.

Riverdale took a 15-9 first quarter lead, but the saints countered back and cut the lead to four at halftime by outscoring the Rebels 12-10 in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, Trinity continued to run with the momentum they built in the second quarter, and took back the lead by the end of the third quarter. After the Saints’ defense held the Rebels to five third quarter points, their offense gave the Saints a 35-30 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately for the Saints, their lead did not last and Riverdale tied the game at 40 by the end of regulation, and sent the consolation game into overtime.

Trinity had a 44-43 lead with six seconds to go in overtime, but Riverdale’s Jordan Northcutt had other ideas as he nailed a bucket to give the Rebels a one-point lead. Trinity had one last opportunity with one second to go, but the Saints came up short and lost by the final of 45-44.

Jon Davis King led all Trinity scorers with 12 points, and was backed by Stevan Ridley, who scored 11, and Matthew Freeman with 10. Joedy Wiggins led the Rebels with 15 points, while Northcutt had 10.

Despite the loss, this is the fifth year in a row that the Saints have finished in the top four in MPSA Class A basketball tournament.

With the loss the Saints, the Saints fell to 16-13, while the Rebels improved to 27-6 overall.