Marshall, Jones Lead Way For Musketeers in 73-63 Victory Over Oakland

Saturday, December 1

Cincinnati, Ohio

12 p.m.

Xavier University

5-3

Oakland

3-5

Oakland

Xavier

Marshall, Jones Lead Way For Musketeers in 73-63 Victory Over Oakland

12.01.18 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Season Stats (PDF)Box Score (PDF)

Six players score double-figures for Xavier in third straight win over Golden Grizzlies

By: Brandon Eckman, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Xavier men's basketball defeated Oakland, 73-63, on Saturday afternoon in the second game of a three-game home stand at Cintas Center. Six Musketeers scored in double figures, led by sophomore Naji Marshall with 14 points. Junior Tyrique Jones added his third double-double of the season, scoring 11 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in the victory, including five offensive rebounds. Zach Hankins, Ryan Welage, Kyle Castlin and Paul Scruggs also scored in double figures.

FIRST HALF

Xavier shot 53 percent from the floor in the first 10 minutes of the game.
Four Musketeers scored a team high eight points in the first half: Naji Marshall, Ryan Welage, Tyrique Jones and Hankins.
Zach Hankins contributed off the bench early, scoring four points on back-to-back possessions and grabbing two rebound in his first four minutes of play. Hankins also grabbed six rebounds, including three offensive rebounds and shot three-for-three from the field in the half.
Jones contributed greatly on the defensive end and pulled down six rebounds, four of which were offensive rebounds. Jones also shot 100 percent from the floor and had one blocked shot.
Marshall shot 4-of-6 from the field, grabbed two rebounds and dished out two assists for the Musketeers.
Welage connected on 3-of-7 shooting from the floor for Xavier and six of his eight points from beyond the arc.
The Musketeers shot 49 percent from the floor, hitting on 16-of-33 compared to Oakland's 14-of-30.
Xavier connected on 15 second chance points in the half off eight offensive rebounds.
Xavier ended the first half with a 41-36 lead despite closing with a scoring drought lasting the final three minutes.

SECOND HALF

Xavier opened the half with consecutive fast-break scores by Paul Scruggs, giving the Musketeers a 45-36 lead.
Marshall hit a crucial post hook shot with 1:20 left in the game, giving Xavier a 69-63 lead.
Welage sealed the deal for Xavier making a three-pointer with 40 seconds remaining in the game, giving the Musketeers a nine-point lead.
Xavier shot 9-for-22, 41 percent, from the floor in the half.
Kyle Castlin led the way for Xavier in the second half, scoring eight points for the Musketeers on 50 percent shooting from the floor. Castlin also grabbed two rebounds in the half.
Scruggs and Marshall both contributed six points in the half and shot 100 percent from the free-throw line collectively. Marshall pulled down three rebounds, while Scruggs grabbed two for the Musketeers.
Jones added three points and five rebounds in the second half, ending the game with a double-double.
Xavier finished the game with a 73-63 victory and led by as many as 11 points in the second half. The Musketeers finished the half with 14 points scored in the paint.

NOTABLES

Castlin scored a Xavier career-high 10 points in his first double-figure scoring game in a Musketeer uniform.
Jones recorded his third double-double of the season and the fourth of his career following an 11-point performance. Jones also grabbed 11 rebounds, five of which were offensive rebounds.
Marshall scored a team-high 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor. Marshall grabbed five rebounds and gave out two assists in 32 minutes.
Hankins and Welage both scored 11 points for Xavier. Hankins did so on 4-of-5 shooting and also pulled down seven rebounds.
Xavier had six players score in double figures for the first time in the 2018-19 season.
The Musketeers out-rebounded Oakland 38-28 and scored 21 second chance points.
Xavier recorded single-digit turnovers in back-to-back games with three against Miami (Ohio) and nine on Saturday against Oakland.
Xavier now has a three game winning streak with victories over Illinois, Miami (Ohio) and Oakland.