Gaston's Career High and Double-Double Wasn't Enough to Pass No. 2 Villanova

Saturday, February 11

Cincinnati, Ohio

2:30 p.m.

Xavier University

18-7 (8-4BE)

Villanova

24-2 (11-2BE)

Villanova

Xavier

Gaston's Career High and Double-Double Wasn't Enough to Pass No. 2 Villanova

02.11.17 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Notes Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)

By: Laura Topp, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – In front of a sold-out crowd, No. 24 Xavier fell to No. 2 Villanova 73-57 on Saturday afternoon at Cintas Center. The Musketeers had two players in double figures including RaShid Gaston's Xavier career high and his fifth double-double of the season. Xavier had three Musketeers earn career highs.

FIRST HALF

The Musketeers went on a 12-6 run to open the first half, led by J.P. Macura's five points.

Villanova responded with 11-2 run, taking the lead 22-14.

Xavier then cut the lead to five right before the break. Xavier trailed at the half 35-23.

Gaston led the Musketeers with eight points to end the half shooting 4-6 from the field as he grabbed 5 offensive boards.

The Musketeers out-rebounded the Wildcats 19-12 in the first half.

SECOND HALF

To open the second half, the Musketeers went on a 13-8 run led by Gaston's five points.

The Musketeers shot 72.2 percent from the line, Macura went 4-4 from the line, the twelfth time this season shooting 100 percent.

The Musketeers dominated on the glass, out-rebounding the Wildcats 42-26. Xavier also out-rebounded Villanova 22-5 on the offensive glass, a season high.

Stand-out freshman Quentin Goodin earned a career high of six rebounds and finished with three points.

Macura finished the game with 17 points, his 15th game in the last 16 scoring in double figures. Macura also earned a career high of seven assists including finding Gaston for the behind-the-back bounce-pass in the paint for the easy and one.

Gaston had his fifth double-double of the season and earned a Xavier career high of posting 23 points and added 10 rebounds.

This is the first game that Goodin and Macura both played all 40 minutes, the second most on the season for Macura.

UP NEXT

Xavier's three game road trip kicks off Wednesday, Feb. 15 against Providence. Tip is at 6:30 p.m. on FS1. The Musketeers return home Sunday, Feb. 26 against No. 22/21 Butler at 3:30 p.m. and can be found on FS1.