The Grace Christian Academy Cougars varsity basketball team lost 38-25 Saturday to the Dawson Street Christian School Wildcats, of LaGrange, Ga., in the Elite Eight round of the GISA state tournament, at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, in Tifton, Ga.

Dawson Street is the defending Class 1A champion. The Cougars, who finished the season with a record of 17-12, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 34-31 victory over Thomas Jefferson Academy on Thursday.

Grace coach Steve Murr said Saturday’s game with Dawson Street was a true defensive battle.

“Both teams scored well below their season averages Saturday.” Murr said. “We trailed 25-15 at halftime.”

Jack McRae led the Cougars in scoring, with nine points. Phillip Bowen added seven points, Bryce McQuaid scored six, Brent Noble added two and Nate Walton scored one point.

Ruben Patterson had a game-high 18 points to lead Dawson Street.