Xavier loses to UC 62-47: Shootout Recap

UC got the better of Xavier today in nearly every area, defeating the Musketeers 62-47.

The game was tight from the opening tip, as neither team was able to lead by more than three points through the first six minutes. UC led Xavier 9-6 with 13:49 left in the first half. Justin Jenifer was the engine for UC in this time, scoring three points and dishing out two assists.

The back and forth affair continued, as Xavier managed to outscore UC 7-3 to lead 13-12 with 10:58 left, due to three-pointers from Quentin Goodin and Naji Marshall.

UC briefly took the lead, 14-13, before Ryan Welage immediately answered with a three-pointer to take a 16-14 lead. With 7:42 remaining in the first half, Xavier led 18-14.

After the timeout, Xavier had an extended scoring drought, going 5:16 with a point as UC retook the lead, 20-18, with 3:56 left in the first half. The drought continued, and Jarron Cumberland hit back-to-back threes to extend UC’s lead to 26-18 with 2:52 to go in the first half.

Xavier managed to trim a little bit off UC’s lead, and trailed 28-22 at the end of the first half. The 22 points for Xavier were a season low in a half, as they only shot 28% from the field and 20% from three-point range.

The 28 points for UC also tied a season low in points allowed in the first half by Xavier.

Goodin had a strong first half for Xavier, leading the team with six points, while also grabbing two rebounds, dishing out an assist and getting a steal.

UC came out firing in the second half, scoring nine points before the first timeout, leading 37-28 with 14:39 left in the game.

Xavier managed to hit a couple threes to get closer, but second chance points and tough threes kept UC in front, 44-34, with 11:18 left in the game. Xavier struggled from the floor, shooting only 13-40 from the field and 5-22 from the three-point line through the first 32 and a half minutes.

UC led 60-41 at the final media timeout, and cruised to the win with a 62-47 final.

UC dominated Xavier on the offensive glass, outrebounding them 36-30 while grabbing 12 offensive rebounds. They scored 12 second chance points off those rebounds. The Bearcats also outshot the Musketeers 24-59 to 18-49 from the field.

Goodin led Xavier with 12 points and five assists, while also grabbing two rebounds and a steal. Paul Scruggs also had a strong night for Xavier finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and a block.