St. Xavier Falls in Heartbreaker at Mason, 34–33
Cincinnati St. Xavier High School battled hard on the road but came up just short in a 34–33 loss to Mason High School. The game was a defensive struggle from start to finish, featuring multiple lead changes and tense moments that kept fans on the edge of their seats. With the loss, St. Xavier falls to 1–1 on the season, while Mason improves to 2–0.
Defensive Battle Early On
The first half was characterized by strong defensive play from both teams. St. Xavier trailed slightly after the opening quarter, 7–5, and the teams remained close through the second quarter, with Mason holding a narrow 14–15 halftime lead. St. Xavier struggled to find consistent scoring, shooting just 46.7% from the field and 20% from the free throw line in the first half.
Tense Second Half
The third quarter saw St. Xavier push ahead, recording a team-high 12 points while holding Mason to 6. The Bombers even reached their largest lead of the game, 10 points, midway through the quarter. However, Mason battled back in the fourth, outscoring St. Xavier 14–6, and forced a nail-biting finish.
Down to the Wire
In the final moments, St. Xavier had opportunities to reclaim the lead, but missed free throws and limited bench contributions proved costly. Despite recording 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and only 3 turnovers, the Bombers fell by a single point. The game featured 5 ties and 7 lead changes, underscoring how evenly matched the two teams were throughout.
Statistical Snapshot
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Field Goals: St. Xavier 14-30 (46.7%), Mason 12-25 (48.0%)
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3-Pointers: St. Xavier 4-14 (28.6%), Mason 5-13 (38.5%)
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Free Throws: St. Xavier 1-5 (20.0%), Mason 5-5 (100%)
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Rebounds: St. Xavier 11, Mason 16
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Assists: St. Xavier 7, Mason 6
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Turnovers: St. Xavier 3, Mason 9
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Points off Turnovers: St. Xavier 5, Mason 7
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Second Chance Points: St. Xavier 2, Mason 0
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Points in the Paint: St. Xavier 18, Mason 14
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Fastbreak Points: 0 each
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Bench Points: St. Xavier 3, Mason 9
Looking Ahead
St. Xavier will look to rebound from this close defeat as they prepare for their next contest. The team showed resilience and defensive intensity, and with sharper free-throw shooting and continued effort on the boards, they will aim to convert these narrow losses into wins moving forward.
Standout Performers (St. Xavier)
