Xavier Snares Jaguars After Slow Start

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Xavier rebounded from a slow start to improve to 7-2 on the season against the Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis Jaguars with a 66-43 win.

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"There was no excuse we just didn't come out ready to play," James Farr said.

IUPUI ran off to a 10-3 lead five minutes into the game.  Xavier finally caught the Jaguars (2-6) on a 3-point basket by Dee Davis at the 8:10 mark.  The bigger, stronger Musketeers didn't trail after that, leading 27-23 at halftime.

"It happens no basketball team is perfect," Remy Abell said.  "It didn't start the way we wanted to.  We didn't come out like we needed to come out.  I will buy that we took them lightly.  We came out against Alabama with a lot of pop.  Games aren't won in the first half.  We have to take this as part of our learning curve."

Xavier had eight of its 18 turnovers in the first 10 minutes.  Dee Davis, Jalen Reynolds, and Jamie Farr had two apiece.  Trevon Bluiett and Myles Davis had one each.  Davis turned it over again at the 4:08 mark but played errorless ball from then on.

"I thought we were non chalant.  We were uncharacteristically sloppy in the first half," coach Chris Mack said. "Guys started to play with much more intensity in the second half.  The point guard (Dee Davis) sets the tone.  I'm sure he would admit that.  It is disappointing that he is a senior.  Good teams consistently play both halves with equal intensity."

Xavier pressed the Jaguars and forced 22 turnovers of their own and pulled in a season-high 14 steals.

The Musketeers dominated the second half, out scoring IUPUI.

Xavier did hold IUPUI to its lowest point total at 43.

"Our defenses was better.  We got some steals with the press.  For the most time when we pressed, we turned it over," Mack said.

No one played more than 27 minutes for Xavier.

Bluiett lead all scorers with 12 points. Abell had 10.  Marcellus Barksdale was the only Jaguar in double figues with 10.

Mack's wife gave birth to their first son, Bradon.

"It was exciting but it was really odd not being at practice the day before a game," Mack said.  "I didn't like that feeling at all but it was great to see the look on my daughters face."

Mack and his wife Kristy Hester Mack, who was the head coach at Colerain High School have two daughters.