No. 5 Xavier Takes Down No. 1 Villanova, 90-83

Wednesday, February 24

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 P.M.

Xavier University

Villanova University

No. 5 Xavier Takes Down No. 1 Villanova, 90-83

02.24.16 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Macura, Sumner score 19 points each to lead six Musketeers in double figures

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Six Musketeers scored in double figures on Wednesday night as No. 5 Xavier took down No. 1 Villanova, 90-83, in front of a Cintas record crowd of 10,727 fans. The Musketeers have now won four of their last six games against teams ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Poll.

The Musketeers move to 25-3 (13-3 BIG EAST) with the victory and extend their win streak to four games. Villanova's seven game-win streak ends as the Wildcats drop to 24-4 (13-2 BIG EAST). Xavier avenged a 95-64 loss at Villanova earlier this season on New Year's Eve.

J.P. Macura and Edmond Sumner led the balanced Xavier offense with 19 points each. Sumner added a career-high nine assists as the freshman guard nearly missed posting his first career double-double.

Myles Davis added 16 points with a game-high four 3-pointers, while Jalen Reynolds chipped in 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting. Davis also dished out six assists as the Musketeers matched their season high in assists with 24.

Trevon Bluiett and James Farr rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points each as they combined to go 8-for-14 from the floor.

The Musketeers held a 42-33 advantage on the glass with Bluiett and Kaiser Gates both pulling down seven to pace Xavier. The seven rebounds for Gates established a new career high for the freshman forward.

Villanova had its largest of the game, 19-13, with 12:49 on the clock as they hit 72.7 percent (8-for-11) of their shot attempts to open the contest. Xavier responded with a 17-5 run on 7-for-14 shooting over the next seven minutes to match Villanova's six-point advantage, 30-24.

Following a three-point play by Villanova's Jenkins on the next possession, Macura hit back-to-back three pointers to give the Musketeers their largest lead of the half, 36-27, with 2:45 on the clock. Xavier led for the remainder of the period and took a 40-37 advantage into the break.

Macura led Xavier offensively at intermission with 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting with two 3-pointers, while Jenkins led Villanova with 19 points. Xavier held a 19-17 advantage on the glass with Sumner pulling down three to lead the Musketeers.

Xavier never trailed in the second half and took its first double-figure lead, 63-52, at the 12:39 mark. The Musketeers led by as many as 15, 82-67, with just over two minutes left in regulation.

Villanova closed within seven, 87-80, in the closing seconds before the Musketeers sealed the victory from the charity stripe. Xavier was 7-for-10 from the foul line in the final three minutes of play and finished the night 23-for-33.

Xavier finished the game hitting 50 percent (30-for-60) of its shot attempts, while connecting on 54 percent of its attempts in the second half.

Jenkins led four Villanova players in double figures with 22 points on 7-for-10 shooting. Ryan Arcidiacono added eight points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

The Musketeers return to action at Seton Hall on Sunday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is slated for 12:30 p.m. on FOX Sports 1.

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