Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
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Northern Arizona
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Musketeers Cut Down Lumberjacks in Home Opener
11.14.14 | Men's Basketball
CINCINNATI - The Xavier men's basketball team prevailed over Northern Arizona, 93-60, to open its regular season on Friday night. Xavier moves to 15-0 in home openers at Cintas Center. Four Musketeers scored in double figures to top the Lumberjacks.
The Musketeers jumped out to a 5-0 lead to open the game on back-to-back baskets from senior Matt Stainbrook. Xavier built a 20-point cushion from there, going up 30-10 with 9:06 remaining in the first half. A 4-0 outburst from sophomore Jalen Reynolds gave Xavier a 24-point lead as the Musketeers led by 20 or more for the rest of the contest.
Stainbrook led the Musketeers in the first half, scoring 13 points on six of seven shooting from the floor, including a shot from outside the arc. Stainbrook also collected seven rebounds and three blocks before the break. Reynolds added 10 points to the Musketeers' 48-22 halftime lead, while freshman Trevon Bluiett added eight. James Farr added four rebounds and three blocks to the first-half effort.
Out of the break, the Musketeers continued to add to its cushion, extending its lead to 30, 56-26, less than five minutes into the second half. A 9-0 run, capped by back-to-back three pointers from sophomore Myles Davis and freshman J.P. Macura pushed the lead to 40, 72-32 with 9:43 remaining.
The Lumberjacks scored on consecutive possessions to cut their deficit to 72-35, but an 11-0 run cut the threat of a rally short, putting the Musketeers up 51 points, 86-35, with less than seven minutes to play.
Xavier's youth and experience combined to lead the Musketeers offensively, with Stainbrook and Bluiett each finishing with a team-high 18 points. Stainbrook also grabbed a team-leading nine rebounds.
Bluiett's 18-point effort is the most for a freshman in his debut for the Musketeers all time. It's the highest scoring total for a freshman since Semaj Christon's 20 point game against Butler on March 9, 2013.
Reynolds finished with 16 points on 8-9 shooting from the floor. Myles Davis scored 13 for the Musketeers, going a perfect 3-for-3 on three pointers. The Musketeers finished the night shooting 66.7 percent from the floor.
Northern Arizona sophomore Quinton Upshur led all scorers with 20 points. Len Springs and Jordyn Martin each pulled down six rebounds to lead the Lumberjacks. Xavier returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 7:00 p.m. when the Musketeers host Long Beach State at Cintas Center. The game will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1. Stay tuned to GoXavier.com for the latest news and updates of men's basketball.
