Tensas Academy’s girls claimed their fifth straight MPSA&160;District 6A Basketball Tournament, but not without a fight against the host Trinity Lady Saints, holding off the host team 42-39.

&uot;We laid our hearts out,&uot;&160;said Trinity coach Melanie Hall.

After a first quarter that saw only 11 total points scored, the tempo picked up.

Trailing 7-4 after one period, Trinity’s Ashley Kingsafer nailed a 3-pointer to tie the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter.

A 3-point play by Sara Greer put the Lady Saints up 13-9, but a basket by Shelby Alford and a 3-pointer by Tabitha Kelly gave the Lady Chiefs a 14-13 advantage at halftime.

Baskets by tournament MVP Robin Rae Burns and All-Tournament player Beth Waters put the Lady Chiefs up 18-13, but a 3-point play by Greer pulled the Lady Saints to within 18-16.

Waters hit three straight free throws for a 21-16 advantage, but a 3-point shot by Greer and two free throws allowed the Lady Saints to trail 28-27 after three quarters.

Kingsafer hit a 3-pointer to put Trinity up 30-28 to start the final quarter.

Another Kingsafer 3-pointer tied the game at 34-34 with 4:53 remaining.

Both teams went cold from the field until a basket and two free throws by Burns put Tensas up 38-34.

Trinity’s Sarah Kirby pulled Trinity with 38-36 with a basket with 47 seconds to play.

Burns hit two free throws with 35.9 remaining, but another 3-point play by Greer pulled the Lady Saints to within 40-39 with 20.5 remaining.

Burns hit two free throws with 16.9 remaining and Trinity was unable to score another point.

&uot;I didn’t shoot well last night (Friday)&160;or tonight,&uot; said Burns, who led the Lady Chiefs with 16 points. &uot;I was just trying to go to the goal and get an easy shot. I knew they would keep it close.&uot;

Trinity was led by all-tournament players Greer with 16; Kingsafer with 11 and Kirby with eight.

Burns, who signed with Henderson State University, said she wouldn’t be surprised to meet up with the Lady Saints again at South State.

&uot;I’d say it’s a good possibility,&uot; she said.

Trinity fell to 21-7 and will be seeded second at South State.

&uot;It’s been 20 years since Trinity has played for a district championship, and these girls have brought the tradition back,&uot; Hall said. &uot;We’ll get this one out of our system, come back Monday and work hard and make a run at South State.&uot;

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