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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.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Xavier Takes Bragging Rights In Backyard Brawl




Xavier won bragging rights with a win against one of its oldest rivals and closest neighbors.

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Dee Davis was 6-of-7 from the field and scored 15 points to lead Xavier to a 77-51 win over Miami of Ohio.

Davis missed the first two games with a head injury but has returned to lead the Musketeers (4-0) to their fourth straight victory to start the season.

Semaj Christon scored 13 points for the Musketeers and James Farr turned in his first career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Matt Stainbrook added 10 points.

Geovonie McKnight scored 10 points to lead Miami (0-3). Reggie Johnson was limited to five points despite entering the game as the Mid-American Conference's leading scorer with 23 points per game.

Xavier held a 36-24 halftime lead. It was the fewest points that the Musketeers have allowed in a half.

"We've had three tough opponents," second year said Miami coach John Cooper, who led his team against Notre Dame and Arizona State on the road. "I've learned from a fundamental capacity, we can't go through long stretches of not scoring."

The game was tied at 15 with 12:34 left in the first half but Xavier went on a 21-9 run to take command of the game.

Ten Xavier players scored in the game. The Miami bench was depleted by a nine-game suspension for Willie Moore, a sophomore transfer from Oregon suspended for selling Oregon gear and Bill Edwards, who is out with an injury.

The Musketeers started the second half with a 14-2 run and led by as many as 31 in the second half.

"Early on I thought our transition defense was poor," Xavier coach Chris Mack said. "Their big guys shoot the three. That presents some challenges for us. As the game wore on we were better."

Miami was 5-of-23 behind the arc for the game with reserve Joshua Oswald making two of those in the waning moments of the game.

Johnson was held scoreless in the first half by Xavier's Semaj Christon, who was assigned to guard him.

"He (Johnson) had two quick fouls in the first half.  I don't think he even worked up a sweat," Mack said. "He's a talented player everyone has tough nights."

Xavier held a 42-17 rebounding advantage and shot 50 percent from the floor while holding the RedHawks to 37 percent from the field.

There was a moment of silence for former Miami coach Charlie Coles. Coles, a 1965 Miami alumnus, coached the RedHawks for 16 seasons.

"I got to spend a lot of time with coach Coles through clinics and recruiting trips," Mack said. "He was one of the most genuine people I've ever met."

The two campuses are 43 miles apart. They have met 100 times since rivalry began in 1920 with a 50-16 Miami victory.

Xavier leads the series 53-47 in a rivalry that began in 1920, Xavier's second season. It was Xavier's most lopsided win since 1997 by 21-points.

Xavier has won the last five meetings.

All four of Xavier's wins have been at home. Xavier will also host Abilene Christian on Friday night.

Miami plays its first home game against Wilmington on Saturday.

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