MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Bearden basketball team fought valiantly, but fell Friday to Melrose in the AAA state semifinals, 69-57, thanks to a 22-point effort from Tennessee commitment Chris Jones.

Ty Greene led the Bulldogs (32-3) with 18 points, and Rico White pitched in 15 for Mark Blevins' team, which led after the first period and tied the game just before halftime.

But Melrose's athleticism took over in the second half, and the Golden Wildcats threw in 29 fourth-period points to secure the victory.

Bearden's loss came one round later than last year's state quarterfinal setback. Despite losing 10 players off that team, the Bulldogs returned to Murfreesboro after only losing two games all season.

Melrose point guard Chris Jones, a junior who committed to Tennessee earlier this season, scored 22 points but turned the ball over six times thanks to a stifling defense, which forced 16 Wildcat turnovers one night after getting 20 steals against Beech in the state quarters.