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Xavier Dominates Morgan State in Record-Setting Win
By
Musketeer Madness,
12/10/2024
Xavier men’s basketball made history Tuesday night, setting a new Cintas Center record with 119 points and notching the largest margin of victory in school history with a 61-point win over Morgan State. The 119-58 rout, played in front of 9,840 fans, was a statement performance as the Musketeers improved their record to 8-2 on the season.
The Musketeers never trailed and asserted dominance early, building a 46-14 lead with 5:15 remaining in the first half. Zach Freemantle fueled the opening surge, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds before halftime. Xavier shot an impressive 61.3% in the first half, entering the locker room with a commanding 52-24 advantage.
Xavier kept their foot on the gas in the second half, outscoring Morgan State 67-34 to secure the historic victory. Freemantle finished with a game-high 27 points on 8-for-11 shooting and added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the season and the 23rd of his career. The Musketeers shot a season-high 60.3% from the field, including 12 three-pointers—the fifth time this season they have made 10 or more shots from beyond the arc.
Marcus Foster added 18 points, connecting on four three-pointers, while Ryan Conwell contributed 15 points and four assists. Dayvion McKnight and Dante Maddox Jr. both chipped in 11 points, and Dailyn Swain delivered a well-rounded performance with nine points, eight rebounds, and three steals. Cam Fletcher and John Hugley IV also provided critical contributions off the bench as Xavier dominated in every facet of the game.
The Musketeers’ defense stifled Morgan State, holding the Bears to just 36.1% shooting and a mere 20% from three-point range. Xavier also controlled the boards with a 54-25 rebounding edge, resulting in 22 second-chance points. The team committed a season-low six turnovers while scoring 32 fast-break points and 56 points in the paint, underscoring their efficiency and versatility.
The game also marked several historic milestones for Xavier. The 119 points scored is the highest single-game total at the Cintas Center, surpassing the previous record of 117 points set against Fairleigh Dickinson in 2012. It also ranks as the sixth-highest scoring output in program history and the most points scored by the Musketeers since a 122-point performance against Detroit in the 1998 Midwestern Collegiate Tournament.
Xavier's 61-point margin of victory broke a program record that had stood for more than three decades, eclipsing the 58-point win over the District of Columbia on Jan. 15, 1990. The Musketeers also recorded their third game of the season with 25 or more free throws, going 25-for-34 from the line. This consistency at the stripe, combined with their sharpshooting from the field, showcased the team’s well-rounded offensive firepower.
With this dominant performance, Xavier turns its attention to the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout against No. 22 Cincinnati on Saturday, December 14 at Fifth Third Arena. The Musketeers will look to carry their momentum into the highly anticipated rivalry game, which tips off at 2:00 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+. The matchup offers Xavier the chance to solidify its strong start to the season and claim city bragging rights in one of college basketball's most storied rivalries.
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