No. 13 Xavier Bounces Back with Victory over Utah

Saturday, December 10

Cincinnati, Ohio

5:30 p.m.

Xavier University

8-2

Utah

6-2

Utah

Xavier

No. 13 Xavier Bounces Back with Victory over Utah

12.10.16 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)Post Game Notes

RaShid Gaston posts second-straight double-double.

By: Michael Concannon, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Xavier bounced back with a win over Utah (6-2) today at the Cintas Center. Four Musketeers scored in double figures tonight as Xavier ended a two-game losing streak to move to 8-2 on the season.

NOTABLES

Trevon Bluiett and J.P. Macura finished with 18 points, while RaShid Gaston and Edmond Sumner scored 11 each.

Gaston was a crucial component to the Musketeers arsenal finishing with 14 rebounds and 11 points. This is Gaston's third double-double on the season and he recorded a season high for rebounds.

Utah, the nation's top rebounding team coming into this game, was held to a season low 28 rebounds by the Musketeers.

This win marks the 28^th straight non-conference victory at the Cintas Center.

FIRST HALF

Xavier shot 51.6 percent from the field at half with six points off turnovers. Gaston had an outstanding half with nine points and 10 rebounds where six of his boards are offensive.

Macura was an offensive force in the first half, leading both teams in total points scored with 14.

Tyrique Jones made two strong plays with two put-back dunks.

Xavier biggest run of the half was an 8-2 run in three minutes with much of Musketeers success due to second chance points with 14.

Xavier was aggressive in its approach to attack the basket and follow each shot and took a 40-29 lead over the Utes into the break.

SECOND HALF

Xavier controlled much of the second half, leading by as many as 11. The Utes would get as close as four, 50-46, with just over 12 minutes remaining.

In the final five minutes of the game, Utah would cut the Xavier advantage down to two possessions, but the Musketeers went 10-10 from the freethrow line to secure the 77-69 victory, the fifth home victory of the season.

UP NEXT

The Musketeers take on Wake Forest next Saturday, December 17 at the Cintas Center. Tip off is at 8:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 1.

POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE