The host Fairdale Bulldogs (6-2) showcased their dominance in an 87-72 victory over the 12th ranked Butler County Bears (4-3) in the 2024 Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass tournament. Central Bank Player of the Game Mihajila Mandic delivered an exceptional performance, leading Fairdale to a commanding win in the first-round matchup.
The game began with a closely contested first quarter, as both teams traded leads and tied the score five times. Butler County leaned on Justin Castlen’s hot hand early, as he drained two three-pointers and finished the quarter with eight points. The Bears built an early six-point lead before Fairdale responded with a balanced attack, including a three-pointer from Mandic and key contributions from Ferlandas Wright. By the end of the first quarter, the teams were knotted at 19.
In the second quarter, Fairdale began to assert control. Wright, who recorded a dominant double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds, was relentless on the boards, creating second-chance opportunities. Mandic contributed on both ends, combining defensive stops with timely scoring. Fairdale capitalized on Butler County’s cold shooting stretch to go on a 10-0 run, extending their lead to 33-23 midway through the period. Despite Castlen’s efforts to keep the Bears within reach, the Bulldogs carried a 38-32 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter was where Fairdale blew the game open. Mandic, who led all Bulldogs with 22 points, fueled a 16-2 run that included a mix of layups, free throws, and a three-pointer. Wright’s presence in the paint and Sean Malone’s contributions off the bench added to Butler County’s struggles to keep pace. Malone finished with 15 points, including several key free throws that helped extend Fairdale’s lead. The Bulldogs limited Butler County to just eight points in the quarter while shooting 58.3% from the field, entering the fourth quarter with a commanding 61-40 lead.
Butler County made a late push in the final quarter behind Castlen and Briar Griffin, who added 19 points and provided energy with a mix of inside scoring and a fast-break dunk. The Bears managed to cut the deficit to 12 points midway through the quarter, but Fairdale’s poise and efficiency, especially at the free-throw line, ensured the lead remained out of reach. Roberts, who contributed 14 points and six assists, and Mandic combined for several clutch plays to close out the game.
Fairdale’s ability to capitalize on Butler County’s mistakes was a key factor, scoring 21 points off turnovers while holding the Bears to just 37% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs’ dominance on the boards, with a 40-32 rebounding advantage, further cemented their control of the game.
The Bulldogs advance to the quarterfinals and will play the winner of Male vs. Frederick Douglass at 6:00pm. Butler County will look to regroup in the consolation bracket Friday against the Male-Frederick Douglass loser at 6:00pm.
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