The Trinity Episcopal Lady Saints jumped out to a double-digit lead late in the first half and held off a second-half rally by Canton Academy to beat the Lady Panthers 57-52 Thursday night in the second round of the MAIS Class AA State Tournament at Winona Christian School.

South State champion Trinity Episcopal jumped out to a 21-14 lead over Canton Academy in the first quarter and then the Lady Saints outscored the Lady Panthers 14-9 in the second quarter for a 35-23 halftime lead.

D’Asia Mitchell led the Lady Saints with 27 points, and Jasmine Ivory poured in 21.

However, Central No. 2 seed Canton Academy would not go away quietly. Led by Betsy Place, the Lady Panthers cut the lead to single digits at the end of the third quarter at 47-38. They outscored the Lady Saints 14-10 in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough. Place had a game-high 32 points.

Trinity Episcopal (17-10) will take on North State champion Marshall Academy today at 2:15 p.m. in the girls’ semifinals.

Canton Academy (boys) 57, 

Trinity Episcopal 44

Keilon Spires led Canton Academy with a game-high 19 points as the North No. 2 seed Panthers upset South State champion Trinity Episcopal 57-44 Thursday night in the second round of the MAIS Class AA State Tournament.

“It just wasn’t our night,” Saints coach Andy Blair said. “I’m really heartbroken for these kids. They gave me all they had, and they worked really hard.”

Trinity Episcopal had an 18-12 lead over Canton Academy after one quarter of play, but the Panthers were only down two points at halftime, 30-28, and eventually tied the game at 40-40 at the end of the third quarter. Then the game got away from the Saints in the fourth quarter as they were outscored 17-4.

David Jackson scored 11 points and Jakarius Caston added 10 points for Trinity Episcopal, which finished at 21-5.

“Super proud of how far we got,” Blair said.