Five Musketeers Hit Double Figures as No. 16 Xavier Takes 96-71 Win Over St. John's

Saturday, February 4

Cincinnati, Ohio

5 p.m.

Xavier University

19-5,11-2Big East

St. John's

14-10,4-9Big East

St. John's (NY)

Xavier

Five Musketeers Hit Double Figures as No. 16 Xavier Takes 96-71 Win Over St. John's

02.04.23 | Men's Basketball

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Jack Nunge finished with 21, Colby Jones added 19 points

By: Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - No. 16 Xavier men's basketball jumped out to an early lead and never relinquished it, topping St. John's, 96-71, at Cintas Center on Saturday evening. Jack Nunge had 21 points to lead five Musketeers in double figure as Xavier moved to 19-5 overall and 11-2 in BIG EAST play.

Xavier took control early, taking a 7-0 lead in the first two minutes and built it from there, taking a 19-point lead into the break, 49-30. Colby Jones and Jack Nunge each had 13 in the first half to lead the Musketeers.

Xavier outscored the Red Storm 18-7 to open the second half to extend the lead out to as many as 30, 67-37, with 14 minutes remaining. St. John's would get as close as 20, 91-68, before the Musketeers took the 25 point win, 96-71. Souley Boum had 15 second-half points to lead the Musketeers after the break.

NOTABLES

Jack Nunge had 21 points to lead the Musketeers, connecting on 4-of-5 three pointers. Nunge also finished with a team-high six assists, which is a new Xavier career best, and matches his collegiate career high, set at Iowa against Michigan State in 2021.
Colby Jones finished with 19 points, shooting 7-of-8 from the floor, including three made threes. Jones led Xavier on the boards, finishing with eight rebounds.
Souley Boum finished with 17 points after leading Xavier with 15 points in the second half, connecting on three outside shots after the break.
Desmond Claude set a new career-high, finishing with 11 points after scoring eight in the second half.
Jerome Hunter added 10 for the Musketeers, also grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists.
The Musketeers shot 54.2 percent from the floor, including 15-of-18 from three, a season high for makes and attempts from outside. The 15 made-threes are fifth most in program history.
Xavier finished with 26 assists on 32 made baskets.
Both teams finished with 37 rebounds.

UP NEXT

Xavier returns to the road, traveling to Indianapolis to face Butler on Friday, February 10. Tip off between the Musketeers and the Bulldogs is set for 7:00 p.m. on FS1.

HIGHLIGHTS