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Muskies Fell Flyers!!
By
Andy Mac Williams,
1/17/2010
Xavier kept all their home streaks going in Saturday's pulsating 78-74 victory over Backyard Rival Dayton. The Muskies haven't lost at Cintas since a year ago December to Butler (18 straight wins). The A-10 home win streak is now 26 dating back to February 2006 (second longest in league history). And, X hasn't lost to UD in Cincy since 1981 (25 consecutive wins).
Son Sean and I were walking on air as we approached our car in the parking lot after the game. Then we were assailed by a sour veteran Muskie follower. "We should have lost that game" he spit out disgustedly. "They killed us on the boards." He slammed his car door and roared away before I could prepare a response.
He was right of course about the gross rebounding stats. UD won overall in rebounds 51-34. They schooled XU on the offensive glass 25-11. The Muskies were probably quite lucky to be down just 39-36 at the half.
Xavier made just 7 first half field goals to Dayton's 15. Dante Jackson's inspired effort (11 points) and Terrell Holloway's dead-eye free throw shooting (8-8) were about the only Muskie positives other than low turnovers against constant Dayton pressure.
What can I say? Great shooting makes up for a litany of other sins and short comings.
XU improved in the physical categories after halftime. They competed better on the boards, scored some inside buckets, put bodies on UD big guys plus they kept shooting well and getting to the foul line.
Bottom line-X cancelled out the bad rebounding numbers by outscoring D 24-16 at the FT line, making 10 three pointers to D's 6 and taking better care of the ball (8 turnovers to 12). Better guard play aided Xavier (collectively 10 assists versus 3 turnovers).
The bench chipped in nicely. Mark Lyons forgot about the knee injury -- hit a crucial late lay-up-managed a huge late steal and gave Terrell Holloway just enough rest from the constant Dayton pressure.
Andrew Taylor figured prominently in a 9-point Muskie first half run that powered XU from 5 down to 4 up. He cancelled out Flyer 3-point specialist Luke Fabrizius, made two FTs, grabbed a rare offensive rebound and stepped in to absord a vital charge on Dayton star Chris Wright. He went to the bench with 3 fouls. Wright played just 14 minutes (10 pts-9 rebs).
Brad Redford made 2-of-3 three's. With 8:44 left in the game, Jordan Crawford drove deep into the lane and pitched back to Redford. He buried a wide open 21 footer. Muskies led 67-62 and Flyers were in scramble mode the rest of the game.
Crawford had an amazing second half(14 points). He hit big shots at crucial times late in the shot clock. Jordan could easily have been picked game MVP.
The honor went to Dante Jackson (19 points -- 5 for 8 from three). He specializes in games vs UC, Dayton and Miami.
Holloway could easily have been MVP also (17 points on 13-14 FTs and no turnovers). Jason Love led the second half resurgence inside (10 pts, 9 rebs, 6 blocks).
Xavier is developing that selfless balance that characterized recent Elite 8 and Sweet 16 teams. Dayton plays tight aggressive man defense. X kept their composure - didn't retreat into the fetal position and made UD pay at the FT line.
UD is downright feverish on the boards, but they take bad shots. That's death against a good team on the road. Despite the Flyer's aggressiveness, they don't get to the FT line as much as the opposition. Chris Johnson who's as talented a small forward as Butler's Gordon Hayward did not shoot a FT against XU. Go figure??
Feb 6th Dayton has a chance to even things up with Xavier at UD Arena. The Flyers have a 29 game home court success streak. It should be interesting. X has moved into the RPI Top 20. They lead the A-10 at 4-0.
Wednesday it's nationally rated Temple in Philly. More on that later.
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