Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Charlotte
Men's Basketball Plows Over Charlotte, 69-47
01.28.09 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2009
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CINCINNATI - The Xavier University men's basketball team rode senior B.J. Raymond's second career double-double to a 69-47 victory over Charlotte at Cintas Center Wednesday. Raymond poured in 23 points and hauled in 10 rebounds in the win.
Raymond hit 6-of-8 from three point range on his way to his second 20-point effort in as many games. It is the second time in his career he's produced 20-plus points in consecutive games after getting 21 and 20 against St. Bonaventure (Jan. 9) and Fordham (Jan. 12), respectively, last season.
Freshman Kenny Frease provided a spark off the bench for the Musketeers, hitting 7-of-9 from the field for a career-high 17 points. After tallying 12 points against Louisiana State on Saturday, Frease was in double figures in consecutive games for the first time this season.
Starting the second half because junior Jason Love had three fouls, Frease got it done on both ends of the floor. After blocking a layup on defense, Frease scored on a traditional three-point play, making a basket while being fouled and converting the free throw to give the Musketeers their largest lead of the game, 34-14.
The 49ers pulled within 15 at the 16:25 mark of the second half, but Raymond responded with a three-pointer that forced a Charlotte timeout. After another bucket by Charlotte, Raymond answered once more, driving for a layup to put the home team in front 39-21.
Back-to-back dunks on the fast break off XU turnovers brought the 49ers within 18 at the 3:29 mark, but Frease put the exclamation point on the night when the last of his three dunks put the Musketeers back in front by 20 and effectively sealed the victory.
Strong defense helped XU build a 31-13 lead in the first half, holding Charlotte to 16.7 percent shooting from the field, the Musketeers best field goal defense in a half this season. The 49ers hit just four of their 24 attempts from the field in the first 20 minutes.
Another hallmark of head coach Sean Miller's squad, XU outrebounded Charlotte 48-28, led by junior Derrick Brown's game-high 11 boards. Brown pulled down five offensive rebounds, helping the Musketeers to a 15-2 advantage in second-chance points.
The Musketeers opened the scoring when Raymond hit the first of his six treys just over a minute into the contest, fueling a 7-0 run to start the game. Charlotte fought back to within to, 9-7, at the 13:22 mark on the efforts of Lamont Mack, who scored the 49ers first seven points. The visitors hit just one more field goal in the half, however, and XU took an 18-point lead into the break.
Charlie Coley scored all 12 of his points in the second half to lead Charlotte. Mack added 11 points, while Phil Jones and DiJuan Harris tied for the team lead with six rebounds each.
XU will be in action again on Saturday when Massachusetts visits the Cintas Center. Tip-off is slated for 12 p.m. with the game scheduled to be aired on ESPNU.
