NATCHEZ — Rebounding and second- chance points doomed the Trinity Episcopal Day School Saints as they fell at home Thursday to Royal Ambassadors Christian School, 65-58.

“They are an athletic ball club,” said Trinity head coach Zach Rogel of Royal Ambassadors. “We just couldn’t eliminate the second, third, fourth and fifth chance points. If we stop a team once, that is doing our job, but to keep letting them get offensive rebound after offensive rebound, it is tough to win a ball game. It killed us.”

Despite 22 points from Tommy McCoy, the Saints were unable to hang with the Lions in the paint and were constantly forced to deal with size from Royal Ambassadors.

“We are a guard heavy team,” Rogel said. “Not too much of a big man presence, so our guards have to be on point if we want to win a ball game. We have to penetrate a little bit more and knock down shots.”

Both teams struggled a bit out of the gate, but after the first quarter, they traded punches the rest of the way.

Royal Ambassadors held a 12-10 lead after the first quarter, but the Saints relied on their star McCoy to carry them in the second quarter.

McCoy finished with 11 points in the second quarter to put Trinity within striking distance, down 31-25 at halftime.

But the Lions had a weapon of their own in Adam Wallace, who led all scorers with 28 points.

He scored seven in the third quarter, but it wasn’t enough to put away the Saints.

Trinity turned up the heat at the start of the second half and were able to claw back into the game, and the teams went into the final quarter with Royal Ambassadors leading 47-44.

The fourth quarter was back and forth with the two trading baskets all the way down to the final buzzer, but it was two missed shots at the end of the game by Trinity that allowed Royal Ambassadors to run the clock, get to the free throw line and seal the win.

Although his team lost, Rogel said he was able to take away some positives from the game.

“We went out there and played a close game,” he said. “We were within four with a minute to go. I don’t know what else we want; we just have to execute.”