The best season in more than a decade for Porter’s Chapel Academy’s girls’ basketball team ended with a hard-fought loss.

Danielle Lefstrom scored eight of her 10 points in the second half, as Central Private surged past PCA 47-43 in the first round of the MAIS Class AAA South State tournament on Monday.

The Lady Eagles (13-16) were playing in the South State tournament for the first time since 2006. They lost their last three games after beating Riverfield Academy in the District 3-AAA tournament, although the last two defeats were by a total of six points. They lost 46-44 to Park Place Christian in the consolation game of the district tournament on Saturday.

PCA led Central Private 21-18 at halftime Monday, but was outscored 13-8 in the third quarter and couldn’t catch up.

PCA made five 3-pointers in the game, including two by Brittnee Martin in the fourth quarter, but also missed 15. It finished 17-for-55 from the field overall (30.1 percent) and made just 4 of 13 free throws.

Martin led PCA with 11 points. Anna Grace White had six points and 10 rebounds, while Fayth McDaniel and Hannah Embry scored eight points apiece. McDaniel also had five steals.

Anna Dale led Central Private with 12 points. Lauren Dale, Tori Richards and Morgan Campbell scored seven apiece.

Anna and Lauren Dale combined to score nine of the Lady Rebels’ 13 points in the third quarter.

Central Private advanced to play tournament host and District 4-AAA champion Columbia Academy in the quarterfinals Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The top four teams from the South State tournament — all of the quarterfinal winners — advance to next week’s Class AAA state tournament at Leake Academy.

Late Monday night, St. Aloysius was to play Columbia Academy in the boys’ tournament. The winner advances to face Silliman Institue Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.