SAINT XAVIER 76, BRYANT 50

The Saint Xavier Tigers (9-0) captured their first-ever Gardner Law King of the Bluegrass championship with a commanding 76-50 victory over the Bryant Hornets (8-5). With the win, the Tigers remained unbeaten on the season and became the first Louisville-area team to win the prestigious title since Ballard in 2019.

Graham Krezmien led the Tigers with 19 points, five rebounds, and five three-pointers, while Jeremiah Jackson, named the 2024 Bob White Most Valuable Player, contributed eight points, five rebounds, and three assists. 

The Tigers came out firing, opening the game with a 15-3 run, including back-to-back three-pointers by Krezmien and Chance Dillingham. Jackson added two triples of his own, as Saint Xavier’s hot shooting from beyond the arc fueled a dominant 26-8 lead after the first quarter. Bryant struggled offensively, shooting just 21.4% in the opening period.

In the second quarter, Saint Xavier continued their balanced attack. Freshman Josh Lindsay added 11 points off the bench, while Dillingham sank another three-pointer to push the lead to 43-20 at halftime. The Tigers shot a blistering 57.7% from the field in the first half, including 60% from three-point range, while Bryant’s Camarion Bead carried the Hornets with six first-half points.

The Hornets opened the third quarter with a brief surge, as Bead scored six of his team-high 17 points. However, Saint Xavier’s defense tightened, forcing turnovers and limiting Bryant’s second-chance opportunities. Krezmien hit two more three-pointers, while Hanke added a putback basket to keep the Tigers comfortably ahead. Saint Xavier outscored Bryant 16-14 in the third quarter, extending their lead to 59-36.

In the fourth quarter, Saint Xavier closed the game in style, with Dillingham and Krezmien each knocking down key shots. The Tigers' defense stifled Bryant’s outside shooting, holding them to just 15% from three-point range for the game. Brandon Dayes added a fast-break layup and a steal in the final minutes to cap off the Tigers' dominant performance.

Krezmien led all scorers with 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. Dillingham contributed 14 points, three assists, and flawless free-throw shooting (5-for-5). Lindsay’s 11 points off the bench and Hanke’s consistent two-way play highlighted the Tigers' depth.

For Bryant, Bead finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while RJ Young added 14 points and five rebounds. The Hornets struggled to find their rhythm offensively, shooting just 34.4% from the field and committing 17 turnovers.

Saint Xavier’s Chief Cameron and Chance Dillingham were named to the 2024 King of the Bluegrass All-Tournament Team, with Jeremiah Jackson earning MVP honors for his outstanding contributions throughout the event. Bryant’s Camarion Bead, RJ Newton, and RJ Young also earned All-Tournament recognition for their performances.

Saint Xavier’s championship marks a historic milestone for the program, as the Tigers claimed their first KOB title and solidified their position as the top team in Kentucky. For Bryant, the runner-up finish caps an impressive tournament run that saw them become only the second Arkansas team to reach the finals. Both teams showcased remarkable talent and resilience throughout the tournament.

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