Phil Martelli has coached in the Atlantic 10 for 26 years, the last 16 as head coach of the Saint Joseph Hawks. His 300 career wins allows him to speak his mind and he has no problem doing so.
"Xavier is the best team in the league," Martelli told a post game gathering at the Cintas Center after his Hawks without the leading scorer in the A-10, Carl Jones feel to the Musketeers on Wednesday. "I may get myself in jam for saying it, but they are like a giant boulder and you say holly mackeral...."
Mark Lyons led four Musketeers in double figures with 17 points. Kenny Frease scored 13. Jeff Robinson scored 12 off the bench. Freshman Dez Wells scored a painful 12, getting hit in the jaw during the contest.
Although he didn't score a lot, six points, Tu Holloway distributed 12 assists.
"It is phenomenal to get 12 assists against a team that doesn't extend its defense," Xavier coach Chris Mack said.
Jones from Garfield Heights, Ohio leads the A-10 with 17.2 points per game but he sprained his ankle and against U Mass on Saturday. He didn't practice for two days. It was a game time decision for him to sit out.
"We practiced for him," Mack said. "We played very well tonight. Langston Galloway (14 points) and Halil Kanacevic (13 points, 14 rebounds) played like pros in the first half. We put more ball pressure on them in the second half."
C.J. Aiken added 10 points and Ronald Roberts added 14 points for the Hawks.
Saint Joseph led by two at halftime shooting 46 percent.
"We just went out and defended like we can in the second half," Frease said. "They hit a lot of tough shots in the first half. The second half was probably the best defensive half we've played all year."
Missing Jones would not be used as an excuse by Martelli.
"The team that practiced the last two days was on the floor," Martelli said. "It would have made little difference. It begins and ends with one number, 19 turnovers."
Kanacevic, a sophomore from Staten Island, NY, scored a career-high and pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds, one short of his career high.
"It is always tough when you play a man short," Kanacevic said. "I didn't feel any pressure to make up for him (Jones). It's about picking up a teammate.
Saint Joseph dropped to 12-7, 2-3 A-10. Xavier won its fourth straight game and stands at 13-5, 4-1 A-10.
Cincinnati Sports News and Commentary
About Me
- Gary Schatz
- I am a freelance writer. I've covered the Cincinnati Reds, Bengals and others since 1992. I have a background in sales as well. I've sold consumer electronics, advertising and consumer package goods for companies ranging from the now defunct Circuit City to Procter&Gamble. I have worked as a stats operator for Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, the College of Mount St. Joe and Colerain High School.
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