St. Xavier Pulls Away in Second Half to Defeat Elder, 54–30

Cincinnati St. Xavier High School put together a strong all-around performance Friday night, rolling past Elder High School 54–30 on the road on January 9.

The Bombers controlled the game with balance on both ends of the floor, improving to 8–2 overall and 1–0 in league play, while Elder fell to 4–6 (0–1).

The opening quarter was competitive, with St. Xavier holding a slim 12–10 lead after one. The Bombers began to create separation in the second quarter behind efficient shooting and solid defensive pressure, outscoring Elder 14–7 to take a 26–17 advantage into halftime.


 

St. Xavier took full control after the break. The Bombers' defense clamped down in the third quarter, allowing just two points, while the offense surged for 18. That dominant stretch turned a close game into a commanding 44–19 lead entering the final period. St. Xavier maintained its composure in the fourth to close out the 54–30 win.

Jack Ryan led all scorers with 15 points, shooting an efficient 5-of-7 from the field and knocking down three triples. Liam McGeady delivered a strong two-way performance, finishing with 12 points, four rebounds, and four blocks, anchoring the Bombers' interior defense. Off the bench, John Veith provided a spark with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while Luke Sorce added six points, including two three-pointers.

St. Xavier shot 52.8% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc, while also winning the rebounding battle 23–18. The Bombers' defensive effort was just as impressive, forcing Elder into tough looks and capitalizing on turnovers to fuel the decisive third-quarter run.

With a complete team effort and suffocating defense, St. Xavier sent a strong early message in league play and will look to build on the momentum moving forward.