Xavier Prep's basketball team endured a new experience in the 2021-2022 season Saturday afternoon.

Playing its first-round game in the 24th annual Nike Tournament of Champions, Xavier met defeat for the first time, bowing to Rosary Academy of Fullerton, Calif., 46-34, at Marcos de Niza High School.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak to begin the new season. All six of Xavier's wins were by double figures, but the tables were turned in this one by a very sound Rosary defensive effort. Rosary improved to 3-3.

Xavier was done in by Rosary's prowess in the middle quarters. The Gators trailed 13-9 after the opening quarter, but managed 11 points total the next two periods. Xavier connected on only 3 of 19 field goals in the second and third quarters and was outscored in that span 28-11. One stat the Gators won, but did not feel good about were turnovers. The game was decided after three quarters with Rosary leading 41-20. Xavier committed 15 turnovers to Rosary's four over the first 24 minutes.

The best quarter of play from Xavier was the fourth. The Gators outscored Rosary, 14-5. They trailed cut the 21-point lead after three quarters to 41-32 with 3:30 to play, but that was the closest they'd come since midway through the second period.

Sophomore guard Sarah Miller led Xavier with 15 points. Miller was the only Gator to make a three-point shot and that didn't happen until the fourth quarter. Xavier missed its first 11 threes spanning the first through early fourth quarter and was 2 of 17 for the game. Fellow sophomore Maureen Ulrich added eight points for the Gators.

Rosary posted a more balanced attack with eight players scoring. Sophomore Allison Clarke led all scorers with 16 points. Junior Ava Dominguez and freshman Kaylene Vivo chipped in with seven points apiece for the Royals.

Xavier Prep's Sienna Cherwinski (#5 light uniform) shoots in Saturday's Nike TOC loss to Rosary, Calif. (Azpreps365 photo)

Xavier Prep's next game in the tournament that runs through Wednesday Dec. 22 is Monday at 1:30 p.m. against Lubbock-Cooper (TX) at McClintock HS.