Dec. 4, 2009

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CINCINNATI - Sophomore guard Jordan Crawford scored 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting to lead the Xavier University men's basketball team past Kent State by a 77-61 score on Friday evening at Cintas Center. With the win, the Musketeers improve to 5-2 on the season while the Golden Flashes slip to 5-3.

Crawford was a scorching 5-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc. His field goal and 3-point field goal totals were both career highs. The Detroit native had a stat-stuffing type night, which included five rebounds and three assists.

Sophomore guard Terrell Holloway was the only other Musketeer in double-figure, scoring 13 points on 3-of-4 shooting. Holloway was also 6-of-7 from the charity stripe, dished-out five assists and recorded three thefts.

Senior center Jason Love had another well-rounded night, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while blocking four shots. The double-double was Love's fourth this season.

XU came from behind to grab a 36-34 halftime lead but were unable to shake the Golden Flashes in the early goings of the second half. Kent State would manage to pull to within one point, 49-48, after Brandon Parks converted on a put back at the 14-minute mark.

However, Xavier took control of the game with a 13-3 run over the next five minutes and seized a 61-51 lead after Dante Jackson buried a 3-pointer in the corner at the nine-minute mark. Kent would shrink the Xavier advantage to seven points but Crawford converted on four-straight points to give XU some cushion and effectively put the game away.

The Musketeers shot a mean 56.5 (26-for-47) from the field while holding Kent to just 36.9 (24-for-65) shooting. XU was also 9-of-20 from long range and out-rebounded the Golden Flashes 39-to-30.

Xavier struggled early and Kent State took advantage, jumping out to a 29-17 lead with 6:40 remaining in the first half.

The Musketeers finished the half in style though, sprinting out to a 19-5 run over the remainder of the first half and took a 36-34 lead into the half.

Xavier is back in action on Tuesday, December 8 when the team travels to "The Little Apple" to take on Kansas State. Game time is set for 9 p.m. EST and the contest will be televised nationally by ESPNU.

Xavier Musketeers Men's Basketball

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