Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Albany NY
Three-Point Shooting Leads Xavier in 88-64 Win Over Albany
12.28.10 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 28, 2010
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CINCINNATI - Xavier defeated Albany 88-64 behind five Xavier players in double-digits and scorching hot 3-point shooting by the Musketeers. Sophomore Mark Lyons drained a career-high six 3-pointers on the night on his way to scoring 18 points. Senior Jamel McLean posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Juniors Tu Holloway and Kenny Frease narrowly missed double-doubles of their own with 11 points and nine assists and 17 points and nine rebounds, respectively. Senior Dante' Jackson added 14 points in the victory.
Xavier's starters were given some rest in the waning minutes of the game. All 13 Xavier players dressed for the game saw action. Freshman Jordan Latham scored the first basket of his Xavier career on a tip-in with 2:02 left in the game. Freshman Griffin McKenzie made a 3-pointer from the left corner with 1:34 left to score his first career points.
Twice during the opening moments of the second half, Xavier opened up a double-digit lead only to have Albany respond by making shots of their own to reduce the deficit back to single-digits. At the 17:36 mark Holloway sank a 3-point shot to give Xavier a 48-37 lead. This time Xavier would hold the double-digit lead for good.
Behind back-to-back Holloway 3-pointers and a pair of Frease free throws, Xavier would take a 61-42 lead with 13:47 remaining. Both teams exchanged several baskets, before the Great Danes would score five unanswered to cut the Xavier lead to 14. But back-to-back old fashioned three-point plays by Frease and McLean would push the Xavier lead to 72-52 with 8:48 left to play. Albany was never able to mount a charge.
Xavier shot 56.9 percent (33-of-58) from the floor and 50 percent on 14-of-28 from 3-point range. Albany shot 43.4 percent (23-for-53) from the field and 34.6 percent (9-for-26) from three. Xavier held advantages in points in the paint, 32-20, and rebounding, 38-23.
The Musketeers 3-point shooting was its best showing of the season besting the 9-of-25 (36 percent) performance in the season opener against Western Michigan (Nov. 12, 2010). The team also finished with a season-high 24 assists.
After the first 20 minutes of play, Xavier held a 41-33 lead over the Great Danes. Lyons led the Musketeers with 15 points on five 3-pointers. Jackson added 12 points all on 3-pointers as well. Holloway dished out five assists and McLean grabbed six rebounds. Albany was led by Tim Ambrose with 13 points.
Xavier finished the half 16-of-28 (57.1 percent) from the floor and 9-of-16 (56.3 percent) from 3-point land. Albany shot 13-of-29 (44.8 percent) and only 4-of-13 (30.8 percent) from three. The Musketeers had 13 assists compared to seven for Albany. However, the Great Danes held a slim 16-14 rebounding advantage.
Albany's senior Tim Ambrose led all scorers with 24 points. Sophomores Logan Aronhalt and Mike Black added 17 and 11 for the Great Danes, respectively. Albany falls to 7-7 on the season.
Xavier will be on the hardwood this Friday against the Florida Gators at Cintas Center. The New Year's Eve game is set to tip-off at 4:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN2.
