MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The Bearden boys' basketball team won every tournament it ever entered during the past three seasons.

Except for state.

The Bulldogs fell in the AAA state championship game Saturday, losing 61-55 to Craigmont in their first-ever state title appearance.

Ty Greene led the way with 18 points for Bearden, who had qualified for the past three state tournaments but had never made it past the semifinals.

The Bulldogs led 20-15 after one period and 31-30 at the break, but Craigmont's smothering defense proved too much for Mark Blevins' team in the second half.

"What you saw here tonight was two programs who do things the right way," Blevins said after the game. "The better defensive team won tonight."

Bearden closes the season with only three losses, and one was a setback against Oak Hill Academy, one of the top teams in the country.