GLASGOW – A fourth-quarter comeback wasn’t in the cards for the host Barren County boys’ basketball team, which fell to Louisville St. Xavier 53-43 in the Barren County Shootout on Saturday.

Barren County (5-3) was within striking distance heading into the fourth quarter, but St. Xavier (5-2) was able to pull away late to secure the victory.

Despite a quality defensive effort, with Barren holding St. X to its lowest point total of the season, the Trojans offense couldn’t keep up – shooting 37.2 percent from the field and 56.3 percent from the free-throw line.

“When you play good people, you have to execute,” Barren County coach Warren Cunningham said. “I feel like we competed. Our execution has to get better against quality teams like that.

“You can’t score 43 and shoot 37 percent and beat good teams. It puts so much pressure on you defensively, that is tough to overcome.”

The Tigers scored the first five points and built a 22-12 advantage late in the first half before Barren County used a 6-0 spurt to trim the deficit to 22-18 at halftime.

Garrett Arterburn’s 3-pointer to start the second half made the score 22-21, but the Tigers quickly pushed the margin back to six after scoring on back-to-back possessions. Barren County came roaring back with eight straight from Jared Coomer to take a 29-27 lead with 2:47 remaining in the third period.

The lead was short-lived, with St. X closing the quarter with an 8-1 run to take a 35-30 lead.

Cameron McDonough opened the fourth quarter with a 3 to stretch the margin to 38-30. Barren County made one more run, getting within 42-38 with 2:38 left, before the Tigers scored seven straight to take a commanding 11-point lead with 1:21 remaining.

Coomer led Barren County with 19 points, while Arterburn added 10 points.

Pierce Kiesler paced St. Xavier with 19 points and seven rebounds, helping the Tigers control the boards with a 34-22 rebounding edge. St. X outscored Barren County 18-6 in second-chance points.

“That was huge,” Cunningham said. “There was a time or two where there would be a loose ball and they would come up with it and make the 3 or make a couple of other plays. That was the difference in the game.”

Barren County will head to the Smokey Mountain Christmas Classic in Gatlinburg (Tenn.), where it will begin play in the tournament Wednesday.

SXHS 14 8 13 18 – 53

BCHS 8 10 12 13 – 43

St.X — Kiesler 19, Borders 12, McDonough 8, Taylor 4, Bansbach 4, Walker 4, Shepard 2.

BC — Coomer 19, Arterburn 10, Bandy 6, Smith 6, Stephens 2.