Xavier Rolls Tide To Get Back On Track

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Xavier took the loss of two games in California out on the visiting Alabama Crimson Tide in a high-scoring 97-84 win at the friendly confines of the Cintas Center.

"We definitely wanted to get the bad taste of those two losses out of our mouths," Myles Davis said.  "We talked about it all day."

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It started out slowly for the 6-2 Musketeers. Alabama 5-2 lead by five points early  Matt Stainbrook, the leading scorer and rebounder for Xavier was whistled for two fouls in the first 90 seconds. He sat out most of the first half. His understudy Jalen Reynolds and freshman Sean O'Mara filled in to help Xavier build a 41-30 lead at halftime.

Myles Davis led Xavier with 18 points off the bench.  Freshman J.P. Macura scored 13.  Reynolds scored 12 and led the Musketeers with seven rebounds. Remy Abell had 12. Dee Davis had 10 and Matt Stainbrook contributed all in the second half.

"Sean O'Mara hasn't played much this year.  He really, really helped our team with his defense," coach Chris Mack said.  "The bench won the game."

Remy Abell held Alabama's leading scorer, Levi Randolph to two points in the first half and 15 for the game, one under his average.

"Most of his points came after the game was decided," Mack said.

Alabama's Ricky Tarrant scored 23 to lead all scorers.  Shannon Hale put 12 points up for the Crimson Tide.

Xavier outrebounded Alabama 32 to 22.  Michael Kessens had five to lead the Tide.

Rodney Cooper scored on a layup to start the second half.  After Matt Stainbrook made two free throws, Hale hit a 3-pointer to cut the margin to eight.  Xavier outscored Alabama 21-10 over the next five minutes to take control of the game.

Alabama closed the gap over the last two minutes.