Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
6-2
Alabama
5-2
Musketeers Roll Tide, 97-84, to Remain Undefeated at Home
12.06.14 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2014
Final Stats | Box Score 
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CINCINNATI - The Xavier men's basketball team moved to 6-2 on the season, 5-0 at home, after pulling away from Alabama (5-2) late in the first half to defeat the Crimson Tide, 97-84, on Saturday night at Cintas Center. The Musketeers' 97 points is tied for the most points this season (LBSU on 11/18) and was spread amongst 11 players with six Musketeers hitting double figures for Xavier, the most Musketeer in double figures since seven did against Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 9, 2012.
To open the game Alabama jumped out to a quick lead, building its advantage to as many as five, 10-5, with just under five minutes gone from the contest. After a slow start, Xavier's offense answered with a 14-2 run, fueled by three explosive dunks from sophomore Jalen Reynolds to take the seven point lead, 19-12, with 8:44 remaining in the half.
The Crimson Tide climbed back to within two, 22-20, with less than seven minutes remaining in the first half, when a 9-2 run, capped by five straight points from senior Dee Davis, pushed the lead out to an 11-point margin, 33-22, the Musketeers' first double-digit lead of the game.
The Musketeers maintained its sizable lead, pushing it out to as many as 12, 41-29, before heading into the locker room up 11 at the half, 41-30.
Junior Remy Abell led the Musketeers with 11 points in the first half, shooting 2-of-3 from outside the arc. Junior James Farr led the Musketeers with five first half rebounds and Dee Davis dished out three assists. The Xavier defense matched its offensive effort, holding Alabama to less than 35 percent shooting from the floor in the first half and out-rebounding the Tide, 19-12.
The Tide chipped away at Xavier's lead to open the second half, getting as close as eight, 45-37, less than two minutes into the final period, before Xavier's outside shooting heated up. Xavier's lead increased to 19, 66-47, after freshman J.P. Macura went on a personal 7-0 run, hitting back-to-back threes and capping the second with a free throw to complete the four-point play.
Xavier maintained its lead with a balanced second half effort, keeping a comfortable 15- to 20- point cushion until the final minutes of the contest. Alabama cut the lead to 12, 96-84, with 00:20 remaining, after UA's backcourt pressure forced three turnovers in the final two minutes, but the Tide could get no closer and the Musketeers prevailed, 97-84.
Sophomore Myles Davis led the Musketeers scorers with a career-high 18 points breaking his previous career record of 16 set against USC at the Battle of Atlantis last season. Macura scored 13, and Reynolds and Abell finished with 12 points each. Reynolds also grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds while Abell recorded out a Xavier career high five assists. Dee Davis scored 10 and dished out eight assists. After being limited in the first half by two quick fouls, Stainbrook finished with 10 points to be the sixth Musketeer in double figures.
The Xavier offense shook off its struggles from outside the arc against Long Beach State, heating up against to go 11-of-21. The Musketeers hit for 56.6 percent from the field, going 30-of-53 overall.
The Musketeers defense used full-court defense to pressure Alabama's guards, causing the Tide to cough the ball up 17 times. Xavier also won the battle of the boards, 32-22.
Xavier returns to action on Tuesday, Dec. 9 when the Musketeers host IUPUI at 7:00 p.m. in a game broadcast on FOX Sports 1. Stay tuned to GoXavier.com for more information.
