Scruggs Hits Career Milestone, Musketeers Knock Off Eastern Kentucky in Overtime

Monday, November 30

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 p.m.

Xavier University

4-0,0-0Big East

Eastern Kentucky

2-1,0-0OVC

OT 1

Eastern Ky.

Xavier

Scruggs Hits Career Milestone, Musketeers Knock Off Eastern Kentucky in Overtime

11.30.20 | Men's Basketball

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Senior Paul Scruggs became the 57th member of the 1,000-point club on Monday night

By: Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Senior Paul Scruggs became the 57th member of the 1,000-point club on Monday night as the Musketeers defeated Eastern Kentucky, 99-96, in overtime at Cintas Center. Xavier moved to 4-0 on the year, while the Colonels dropped to 2-1.

FIRST HALF

• The first half had six ties and three lead changes through the first 11 minutes of the game. Tied at 26 with 8:42 on the clock, the Musketeers went on a 22-11 run on 9-for-13 shooting to take its largest lead of the half, 48-37.

• Eastern Kentucky scored on its final possession of the frame as the Musketeers took a nine-point lead (48-39) into the locker room.

• Xavier hit 63 percent (19-for-30) of its shot attempts in the first half, while holding the Colonels to a .360 field-goal percentage (16-for-45). The Musketeers also held a 25-15 advantage on the glass.

• Zach Freemantle led three Musketeers in double figures with 15 points on 7-for-7 shooting. KyKy Tandy added 12 points and Nate Johnson added 10 points. Jason Carter paced the team on the glass with eight rebounds.

SECOND HALF

• Xavier outscored Eastern Kentucky, 13-10, to open the second half and regain its 11-point lead (61-49) at the 12:41 mark. The Colonels battled back by using a 23-11 run, tying the game at 72 with 6:53 on the clock.

• The Musketeers responded with a 9-4 run capped by a Jason Carter free throw to take an 81-76 lead with 2:16 left in regulation. A pair of KyKy Tandy free throws with 15 seconds left gave the Musketeers an 83-80 lead before Tre King hit a three pointer for the Colonels as time expired, sending the game to overtime.

• Xavier hit 47.8 percent of its shot attempts (11-for-23) in the frame. Both teams pulled down 19 rebounds. Eastern Kentucky forced 10 turnovers, converting the miscues into 21 points.

OVERTIME

• Xavier went 4-for-5 from the floor with two 3-pointers to open the overtime period, outscoring the Colonels, 10-5, to take a 93-88 advantage with 1:02 on the clock. Eastern Kentucky responded with a 4-0 run to get within one, 93-92, with 34 seconds on the clock.

• Eastern Kentucky again closed within one point, 97-96, in the closing seconds before KyKy Tandy sealed the win with a pair of free throws.

• Xavier went 5-for-6 from the filed in the overtime period, while going 4-for-4 from the foul line. Nate Johnson scored six of his 18 points in the extra stanza.

NOTABLES

• Zach Freemantle and Jason Carter both posted double-doubles in the win. Freemantle scored a career-high 24 points on 11-for-12 shooting with a career-high 13 rebounds. Carter scored a Xavier career-high 20 points to go along with 11 rebounds.

• Nate Johnson scored a Xavier career-high 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting. He added five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

• KyKy Tandy added 18 points on 3-for-10 shooting. He was also 11-for-13 from the foul line as the Musketeers finished the game going 23-for-30 from the charity stripe.

• Paul Scruggs finished with nine points, four assists and three rebounds. Dwon Odom chipped in seven rebounds, six assists, three blocks and six points.

• Xavier hit 58.3 percent (35-for-60) of its shot attempts and was 6-for-19 from behind the arc. The Musketeers also won the battle on the glass, 47-37.

• Eastern Kentucky forced 25 turnovers in the game, turning the miscues into 23 points. The Colonels also held a 15-7 advantage in second-chance points, while the Musketeers had four more bench points (22-18).

• The game featured five lead changes and nine ties.

HIGHLIGHTS