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11-15-2009, 07:48 PM
Mack era ushered in with decisive win over Youngstown State, 83-57
by Mike Damone
As much drama as there was within the Xavier program this off-season, very little was present Friday night at the Cintas Center as new head coach Chris Mack and the much-anticipated Musketeer debut of sophomore Jordan Crawford (14 pts, 5 reb) led Xavier to an easy opening night win over the Youngstown State Penguins (0-1), 83-57.
A 1:32 opening scoring drought – the only tense moments of the contest – concluded when sophomore point guard Terrell Holloway (10 pts, 3 ast) canned a three to open the scoring, prompting Xavier (1-0) to race out to an early 8-0 lead en route to the season-opening win.
The backcourt, which was of such concern for Xavier last season, looks to be in very capable hands between Holloway and freshman Mark Lyons (12 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast). The dynamic point guard duo combined for 22 points and six assists to just two turnovers. And despite losing its only double-figure scorers after last season, five different Musketeers registered double-digit scoring tallies, with Crawford leading the way with a game-high 14 points.
It wasn’t a smooth beginning for Crawford, but the lanky guard from Detroit settled in to pace the Xavier offense. He had more than a little help from his teammates, as he scored the first points of his Xavier career off a hoop-and-foul when the Musketeers had already established an early 10-point lead, 16-6, with 12:58 left in the first half.
After Holloway’s opening bucket, junior forward Jamel McLean (7 pts, 7 reb) established his presence early, scoring inside and making good on his free throws when drawing contact. The lightning-quick Lyons was as effective early on, scoring eight first-half points from inside and out, while also getting his teammates involved.
Sophomore Brad Redford (11 points) also got involved in the early route, connecting on two of his three first-half three-point attempts, and barely missed burying a third, as the halftime buzzer sounded just before he let fly. By that point, however, the game was practically decided with Xavier heading into the locker room with commanding lead, 48-24. The Musketeer defense picked up where it left off last season defensively, holding their opponent to a miserable 26 percent shooting in the first half.
The Musketeers and the Penguins traded buckets to start the second half, but Youngstown State couldn’t get any closer than 22 the rest of the way. Mr. Reliable senior center Jason Love (12 pts, 8 reb) came alive in the second half with eight points and five rebounds, in addition to finishing with a game-high three blocks. Love also paced the Musketeers on the glass.
A lay-up by Lyons gave the Musketeers their largest lead at 31, 74-43, with 6:15 to go, before cruising to the final margin.
Though they weren’t facing the most formidable of opening opponents, the Musketeers shook off the early season jitters rather quickly before taking command and never letting up. Their sticky defense forced the Penguins into just 32 percent shooting, while the Musketeers themselves shot 51 percent from the field, including an impressive 41 percent from three. Xavier also finished an outstanding 81 percent from the charity stripe, and won the battle of the boards, 38-27.
The Penguins were led by Vytas Sulskis (12 pts) and Sirlester Martin (11 pts, 4 reb).
Xavier returns to action on Tuesday to take on the Bowling Green State Falcons. The Falcons (1-0) are coming off a 67-45 victory over Wayne State.
by Mike Damone
As much drama as there was within the Xavier program this off-season, very little was present Friday night at the Cintas Center as new head coach Chris Mack and the much-anticipated Musketeer debut of sophomore Jordan Crawford (14 pts, 5 reb) led Xavier to an easy opening night win over the Youngstown State Penguins (0-1), 83-57.
A 1:32 opening scoring drought – the only tense moments of the contest – concluded when sophomore point guard Terrell Holloway (10 pts, 3 ast) canned a three to open the scoring, prompting Xavier (1-0) to race out to an early 8-0 lead en route to the season-opening win.
The backcourt, which was of such concern for Xavier last season, looks to be in very capable hands between Holloway and freshman Mark Lyons (12 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast). The dynamic point guard duo combined for 22 points and six assists to just two turnovers. And despite losing its only double-figure scorers after last season, five different Musketeers registered double-digit scoring tallies, with Crawford leading the way with a game-high 14 points.
It wasn’t a smooth beginning for Crawford, but the lanky guard from Detroit settled in to pace the Xavier offense. He had more than a little help from his teammates, as he scored the first points of his Xavier career off a hoop-and-foul when the Musketeers had already established an early 10-point lead, 16-6, with 12:58 left in the first half.
After Holloway’s opening bucket, junior forward Jamel McLean (7 pts, 7 reb) established his presence early, scoring inside and making good on his free throws when drawing contact. The lightning-quick Lyons was as effective early on, scoring eight first-half points from inside and out, while also getting his teammates involved.
Sophomore Brad Redford (11 points) also got involved in the early route, connecting on two of his three first-half three-point attempts, and barely missed burying a third, as the halftime buzzer sounded just before he let fly. By that point, however, the game was practically decided with Xavier heading into the locker room with commanding lead, 48-24. The Musketeer defense picked up where it left off last season defensively, holding their opponent to a miserable 26 percent shooting in the first half.
The Musketeers and the Penguins traded buckets to start the second half, but Youngstown State couldn’t get any closer than 22 the rest of the way. Mr. Reliable senior center Jason Love (12 pts, 8 reb) came alive in the second half with eight points and five rebounds, in addition to finishing with a game-high three blocks. Love also paced the Musketeers on the glass.
A lay-up by Lyons gave the Musketeers their largest lead at 31, 74-43, with 6:15 to go, before cruising to the final margin.
Though they weren’t facing the most formidable of opening opponents, the Musketeers shook off the early season jitters rather quickly before taking command and never letting up. Their sticky defense forced the Penguins into just 32 percent shooting, while the Musketeers themselves shot 51 percent from the field, including an impressive 41 percent from three. Xavier also finished an outstanding 81 percent from the charity stripe, and won the battle of the boards, 38-27.
The Penguins were led by Vytas Sulskis (12 pts) and Sirlester Martin (11 pts, 4 reb).
Xavier returns to action on Tuesday to take on the Bowling Green State Falcons. The Falcons (1-0) are coming off a 67-45 victory over Wayne State.