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X Beats 49ers to Remain Perfect in A-10
By
Jay Skeldon,
1/13/2010
 | Thievery by Dante Jackson as he gets one of his three steals.
[enlarge] Photo by Bob Stevens |  | Sophomore Jordan Crawford is all smiles as he drives through the defense for two of his game high 18 points.
[enlarge] Photo by Bob Stevens |  | Jamel McLean swats a Charlotte shot into the first row of seats for one of his three blocks on the night.
[enlarge] Photo by Bob Stevens |
After opening their first two games of the Atlantic 10 conference season on the road, the Musketeers returned home to face Charlotte on Wednesday night. Dante Jackson returned to offensive form as he helped propel Xavier past Charlotte, 86-74, before 10,137 fans at Cintas Center. Jackson finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field including 4-of-7 for 3-pt range to go along with a game-high six assists and three steals. XU, which won its 17th straight game at Cintas, improves to 11-5 overall and an unblemished 3-0 in league play. Meanwhile, the 49ers fall to 11-5 (1-1).
After Charlotte grabbed the first basket of the game on a An'Juan Wilderness field goal, Xavier went to work. The Musketeers went on a 24-6 run, sparked by two 3-pointers from Jackson and one from Brad Redford. Jackson also added a field goal during that eight minute stretch to push Xavier out in front, 26-11, with 9:04 left. By half the score stood at a comfortable, 44-28.
In the second period, X kept the 49ers at bay with the lead swelling to as high as 21 points, 61-40, on a Jordan Crawford layup with 10:58 to go. UNC Charlotte would not edge closer than 15 points to the Muskies until it went on a mini-run. CU narrowed the gap to 10 points with 5:51 left on an Ian Anderson triple from the left corner.
Xavier, however, would not surrender. It finished out the game with strong defense, solid rebounding, and proficient free throw shooting for a 12 point win, marking the team's third league win in as many tries.
Xavier received a well balanced effort with three other players joining Jackson in double digits scoring. Once again, Jordan Crawford, the A-10's top scorer and reigning player of the week, notched a game-high 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting. He converted 6-of-7 from the free throw line and also added four assists and pulled down five boards.
Sharp shooting Brad Redford, who entered the game leading the Atlantic 10 in 3-point field goal percentage at 45.3 percent, padded his percentage this evening. Redford swished 4-of-6 from long range for 12 points.
Senior Jason Love added rounded out the double figures scorers with 10 points in 24 minutes of action. A total of 10 Musketeer players recorded points in the all around team effort.
Charlotte was led by Wilderness, who scored a team-high 15 points. Chris Braswell (14 points), Shamari Spears (13 points), and Derrio Green (10 points) rounded out the top scorers for the 49ers.
Next up for XU is its stiffest test of the early conference season. The Musketeers face off against I-75 rival, Dayton Flyers, on Saturday morning at Cintas Center. Tipoff for the contest is slated for 11:00 a.m. and will be broadcast on nationally on ESPN2. The Flyers (13-3) were picked as the top team in the Atlantic 10 prior to the season and they remain unbeaten in the league at 2-0 so far.
The X-Men have beaten UD in seven of the last eight meetings including total domination in Cincinnati. Xavier will look to extend its current 24-game home winning streak against the Flyers on Saturday.
Jason Love rises above the Charlotte defense and lays in a basket.
[enlarge] Photo by Bob Stevens | 
Brian Walsh looks for an opening against the Charlotte defense.
[enlarge] Photo by Bob Stevens | 
Kenny Frease gets fouled as he attempts a shot
[enlarge] Photo by Bob Stevens | |
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