Nov. 23, 2008

Box Score

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Holding one of the highest-scoring offenses in college basketball under 60 points, the Xavier University men’s basketball team won the Puerto Rico Tip-Off championship. The Musketeers defeated Memphis, 63-58, to begin the season 5-0 for the first time since the 1997-98 campaign.

Senior C.J. Anderson tallied 10 points, one of four Xavier players in double figures, and earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors. He averaged just under 10 points and just over four rebounds per contest in the three-game event.

Going 10-for-10 from the charity stripe for the second time in three games, freshman Terrell Holloway led the Musketeers with 13 points. Senior B.J. Raymond and sophomore Jamel McLean also chipped in 11 points each for XU.

Pulling in a game-high 12 rebounds, junior Jason Love helped the Musketeers to a 44-40 advantage on the boards.

Tyreke Evans was the top scorer for the Tigers, recording 12 points on 4-for-16 shooting from the field. Robert Dozier and Antonio Anderson added 10 point apiece for Memphis (4-1).

With 4:21 remaining, the Tigers tied the game for the third time when a free throw by Dozier evened the score at 53 all. Xavier responded by scoring four straight points, with the last three coming on a three-point play by sophomore Danté Jackson to put XU in front, 57-53.

Memphis pulled within one on two occasions in the final minute, but a pair of free throws by Holloway pushed the margin back to three and the Musketeer defense kept the Tigers from scoring again to preserve the win.

After giving up the first point of the game on a free throw, the Musketeers scored the next seven to take a six-point lead over three minutes into the matchup. Memphis climbed back within one on a three-pointer from Doneal Mack, but a Kenny Frease, freshman, free throw and a layup by Jamel McLean put XU back up by four.

Terrell Holloway matched Xavier’s largest lead of the half with just over a minute remaining before the break, hitting a three-pointer with 1:04 on the clock to put the Musketeers in front 32-26. The Tigers responded with a trey by Tyreke Evans to cut the deficit in half with the final basket of the first stanza.

The Musketeers will have some time to regroup before squaring off with Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m.