Jerome Hunter Leads Four Musketeers in Double Figures in 86-63 Win Over Morehead State

Wednesday, December 15

Cincinnati, Ohio

8:30 p.m.

Xavier University

10-1,0-0Big East

Morehead State

6-5,0-0OVC

Morehead St.

Xavier

Jerome Hunter Leads Four Musketeers in Double Figures in 86-63 Win Over Morehead State

12.15.21 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Photos

Hunter scores 15; Colby Jones, Jack Nunge and Adam Kunkel all hit double figures

By: Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Jerome Hunter's season high led four Musketeers in double figures as Xavier picked up a 86-63 win over Morehead State at Cintas Center on Wednesday evening.

Hunter finished with 15 points while Colby Jones added 14, Jack Nunge scored 13 and Adam Kunkel finished with 12 to help the Musketeers to 10-1 to close out the non-conference portion of the schedule. Morehead State moved to 6-5 on the season.

FIRST HALF

After Morehead State scored the opening bucket, Xavier scored the next seven to move in front for good.
The Musketeers built out a 10 point lead in the first nine minutes, leading 18-8 with 11:37 remaining before halftime.
The Eagles would get the lead into single digits, 20-11, with 10:44 left in the half before Xavier pushed the lead back out to double digits.
Xavier used an 18-0 run over a five minute stretch, featuring three-straight threes from Adam Kunkel, to extend the lead to 30, 45-15, matching the largest lead of the game, before going into the break up 28, 47-19.
The Musketeers shot 58.1 percent from the floor overall and 7-of-14 from three in the first half while limiting Morehead State to 32.1 percent shooting and just 1-of-8 from outside. Xavier held the Eagles without a basket for over seven minutes during the first half.
Colby Jones led the Musketeers with 10 points, while Adam Kunkel and Zach Freemantle each added nine.
Xavier had a 21-11 advantage on the boards in the first half, led by five for Zach Freemantle.
The Musketeers dished out 14 assists on 18 made baskets, led by four for Dwon Odom.

SECOND HALF

Morehead State opened up the second half to pull within 22, 47-25, the closest the Eagles had been since trailing 35-15 with 5:25 remaining in the first half.
Xavier would extend the lead back out to 26, holding a 20-point lead until Morehead State went on a 7-0 run to get within 17, 56-39, with 12:24 remaining in the game.
The Musketeers responded with a 9-2 run extend the lead back to 24, 65-41, with 10 minutes to play and maintained an at least 20-point advantage the rest of the way.
Xavier led by as many as 28 in the closing minutes of the game before winning by 23, 86-63.
Jack Nunge scored 11 points in the second half to lead Xavier, going 2-of-2 from the floor and 7-of-7 from the free throw line.
Jerome Hunter added eight points after halftime including hitting a pair of threes.
Paul Scruggs had seven points and three assists in the second half, leading Xavier on helpers as the Musketeers picked up an assist on all 11 made field goals.
The Eagles finished with a slight 20-19 edge on rebounds after halftime. Jack Nunge led Xavier with six in the second half.

NOTABLES

Jerome Hunter led Xavier with 15 points, his highest point total as a Musketeer. Hunter also grabbed six rebounds and finished with four assists.
Colby Jones went 6-of-9 from the floor to finish with 14 points.
Jack Nunge scored 13 points, shooting 75 percent from the floor and 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Nunge led the Musketeers on the boards with seven.
Adam Kunkel scored 12 points, connecting on four three pointers.
Paul Scruggs finished with seven points, six boards and a team-high matching six assists.
Dwon Odom also had six assists, matching his career high. Xavier had assists on 25 of 29 made field goals.
Nunge's seven rebounds led Xavier to a 40-31 advantage on the boards for the game.
Xavier's 47 points at halftime were the most first half points for the Musketeers this season.

UP NEXT

The Musketeers open up BIG EAST play on Saturday, December 18, hosting Marquette at Cintas Center. Tip-off with the Golden Eagles is set for 4:00 p.m. on FS1.

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