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Muskies Scratch Out Road Victory
1/18/2013
It was the classic situation for the Musketeers this season. Particularly on the road. A decent lead (eight points late in the first half) evaporated in the waning minutes of the second half. Xavier was on their way to another disappointing loss in a game that they should win and couldn't afford to lose.
Enter freshman godsend Semaj Christon, who put the team on his back for another huge game. Enter senior Brad Redford, who has started to run point guard in crucial times of the game. And enter Travis Taylor, the emerging leader and heart and soul of the team. Behind these three, Xavier clawed out a crucial win over St. Bonaventure, 66-64.
The Musketeers (10-6, 3-0) again look like a force to be reckoned with in the Atlantic 10. Perhaps not the dominant teams of recent years. But this team is just as talented at the Tu Holloway-led squad that went 15-1 two years ago. The league is stronger now, but Xavier is in every game. And it's tough to win at Cintas.
On Wednesday, it was tough to win at the Reilly Center in Olean, New York. In front of a sold out crowd that was sporting a white out, Xavier jumped out to a 31-27 halftime lead. It was 31-23, just over two minutes before that. Then, the Bonnies started chipping away.
Under four minutes to play, the Muskies trailed 59-54. They fought back to down 61-60, when Chris Mack called up a play for Redford, the sharpshooter who scored 17 on 6-16 from the field (5-11 from three). Redford missed, but Isaiah Philmore (six points and five huge rebounds) got the offensive board. He found Redford, who missed another three. Philmore took it into his own hands from there, sticking it back himself. That might have been the second most important series of the game.
Then tied at 64 with 24 seconds left, Christon waited until there was 10 on the shot clock to start moving. He went to his right off a screen and left a high arcing shot bank off the backboard and through. He was fouled and missed the free throw, but Xavier had its lead, 66-64. St. Bonnie's following possession was rendered futile when Landen Amos blocked their last attempt.
Christon finished with 19 points (6-14 from the field and 7-9 from the line), 3 rebounds and 10 assists in a heroic performance. He's come up huge without Dee Davis in the starting lineup, who might be ready for La Salle on Saturday. He scored nine of Xavier's 15 points during the decisive 15-9 run over the last 5:20 of the game.
Xavier shot their usual efficient number, with 45.6% from the field. They outrebounded the Bonnies 26-21, including 12-5 on the offensive glass. They also committed a season low six turnovers.
But the Bonnies stayed in the game thanks to poor Xavier defense, uncharacteristic of this squad so far this season. SBU was a dazzling 52.3% from the field, but was out-muscled underneath.
Taylor, who didn't get nearly enough looks, was efficient, finishing with 11 points and 7 rebounds on 5-6 shooting. Jeff Robinson, coming off a nice game against George Washington, laid up his usual Robinson clunker, with four points on 2-5 shooting. Considering he made the first bucket of the game, that looks even worse.
Justin Martin's struggles continued, just 3-9 from the field. He finished with just 7 points, and also missed on five three point attempts. If Xavier wants to stay consistent, they need to get Martin going. He hasn't looked the same since his concussion against Wake Forest.
Saturday the Musketeers take on the La Salle Explorers at the Cintas Center at 2:00. Xavier is looking for a 4-0 start in the Atlantic 10.
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