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kyxu
01-29-2009, 07:53 AM
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj89/xhoops/7aa423cc-d8b4-41fc-b0cd-6b20a290116.jpgRaymond’s heat deep-sixes Niners, 69-47
By Mike Damone

It appeared as if the icy terrain and frigid temperatures in Cincinnati had found their way into the Cintas Center Wednesday evening. The #10 Musketeers and Charlotte 49ers were ice cold from the field to start the game, combining for just 18 points over the game's first 10 minutes off a combined 25 percent shooting from the field.

Two players for the Musketeers, however, helped them get out of an offensive rut in a big way. Senior BJ Raymond recorded his first career double-double, with a game-high 23 points off an astounding 8-of-11 shooting to go with 10 rebounds, while freshman Kenny Frease notched a career-high 17 points off 7-of-9 from the field, leading #10 Xavier (18-2, 6-0) to its fifth-consecutive conference victory over the Charlotte 49ers, 69-47.

Over the game’s first 3:18, Xavier was able to hold a 7-0 lead while Charlotte (6-13, 1-5) missed its first six shots, though the Musketeers were only shooting 28 percent over that span. Lamont Mack (11 pts, 4 reb) got the scoring started for the Niners, and scored his team’s first seven points to trim Xavier’s lead to just two, 9-7, 6:37 into the game.

The Musketeers then went on a 13-2 run over the next seven minutes that effectively decided the game. Junior Derrick Brown (2 pts, 11 reb) got the scoring started with a tip-in – his only points of the contest. Raymond scored four points in the run off a free throw and a three.

Frease also scored eight-straight points in the first half for Xavier, transforming an 18-9 Xavier lead to a 26-11 advantage. Frease’s personal run was capped by a slam off an assist from fellow freshman Terrell Holloway (4 pts, 5 ast). Charlotte managed just four points over the half’s final five minutes, while Raymond gave Xavier their largest lead of the half with another three to provide the halftime margin, 31-13.

Frease started the scoring for Xavier in the second half, scoring off a hoop and foul to stretch Xavier’s lead to 20, 34-14. The closest Charlotte would get for the rest of the way came when Charlie Coley (12 pts, 3 reb) hit a jumper to cut the Niners’ deficit to 16, 39-23, with just over 14 minutes to go.

Senior CJ Anderson (10 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) would answer with a pair of free throws, followed by another three from Raymond to push Xavier out to a 21-point lead, 44-23. A lay-up by sophomore Jamel McLean (2 pts, 2 reb) and another three from Raymond gave Xavier their largest lead of the game, 69-44, with just 1:19 to go, but Rashad Coleman (8 pts, 4 reb) answered with a three to provide the final margin.

Wednesday night certainly wasn’t the most aesthetic offensive night for the Musketeers, but there were little gems of reassurance that surfaced beyond the offensive dominance of Raymond and Frease. Brown’s 11 boards indicated that he doesn’t have to score 18 to help the Musketeers. Anderson’s ability to pass out of the post as well as his perfection from the line (6-for-6) may indicate that his ability to penetrate and draw fouls will pay major dividends come tourney time.

The Musketeers also dished out more assists (19) than turnovers (15) – a positive stat considering Xavier’s earlier travails this season with the basketball. Most important of all, Xavier’s defense made up for any offensive deficiencies, holding Charlotte to a miserable 17-for-55 from the field, as well as pulling down 30 defensive rebounds.

Coley scored a team-high 12 points for Charlotte, followed by Mack’s 11. The 47 points scored by the 49ers were a season-low, as Charlotte managed to shoot just 30.9 percent from the field and 17.4 percent from long distance.

The Musketeers remain in Cincinnati to take on the UMass Minutemen on Saturday at noon. Last season, Drew Lavender’s 19 points led Xavier over the Minutemen in Amherst, 77-65. The Minutemen (7-11, 2-3) are coming off a 62-54 loss at home to the La Salle Explorers.

kyxu
01-29-2009, 01:44 PM
Just to clarify in the last sentence of the second paragraph, this was Xavier's fifth-consecutive victory over Charlotte since they joined the conference. NOT Xavier's fifth-consecutive conference victory...which happened to be against Charlotte.

Xavier is 5-0 against Charlotte since they joined the A-10 (which is what I intended to point out), and 6-0 against Charlotte in the history of the match-up.

Thanks

American X
01-29-2009, 02:11 PM
Anderson’s ability to pass out of the post as well as his perfection from the line (6-for-6) may indicate that his ability to penetrate and draw fouls will pay major dividends come tourney time.

Good observation. Those subtle improvements could be difference-makers down the road. C.J. has become noticeably more adept at finding the open man rather than forcing a shot.

Nice recap, as always.