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Xavier Rolls Past Old Dominion, 99-69
By
Musketeer Madness,
11/18/2025
Xavier delivered its most complete offensive performance of the young season Tuesday night, overwhelming Old Dominion 99–69 at Cintas Center behind blistering three-point shooting, dominant stretches from its starting frontcourt, and a career night off the bench from guard Roddie Anderson III.
The Musketeers (3–2) set the tone early with a 21–6 surge fueled by defense and transition scoring. All Wright and Tre Carroll repeatedly turned ODU miscues into fast-break buckets, while Jovan Milicevic controlled the paint with timely finishes and active work on the glass. By the midpoint of the first half, Xavier had built a double-digit lead it would never relinquish.
Carroll (20 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) and Milicevic (20 points, 4 threes, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks) spearheaded a balanced attack that saw five Musketeers finish in double figures. Their inside-out combination kept the Monarchs scrambling defensively as Xavier shot 50% from the field and 40% from deep in the opening period. The Musketeers' relentless pressure and second-chance scoring produced a commanding 51–29 lead at halftime.
Wright electrified the crowd with 20 points, including four three-pointers and multiple fast-break finishes created off steals. His defensive activity—four steals in all—helped Xavier pile up 24 points off turnovers. Malik Messina-Moore added steadiness at the point, posting eight assists and seven rebounds even on a cold shooting night.
If the first half belonged to the starters, the second half was Anderson’s showcase. The junior guard poured in 14 of his 20 points after the break, drilling four threes and repeatedly punishing ODU in transition. His scoring burst pushed Xavier’s lead to as many as 37, the largest margin of the night, and effectively silenced any hopes of a Monarch comeback.
Old Dominion (2–3) was led by LJ Thomas’ 13 points and Caelum Swanton-Rodger’s energy around the rim, but the Monarchs simply couldn’t keep pace. Xavier’s depth proved overwhelming, with the bench contributing 29 points and dominating the second-chance battle 23–9.
Xavier finished with a season-best 16 made threes on 44% shooting from deep while also converting 17 of 24 free throws. The Musketeers’ 99 points marked their highest output of the season and showcased the offensive ceiling this group can reach when shots fall and the ball moves crisply.
The Musketeers return to action later this week looking to build on a performance that featured strong defensive pressure, high-efficiency shooting, and contributions from every rotation player. If Tuesday night was any indication, this Xavier team is beginning to find its rhythm.
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