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Xavier Lets Win Slip Away in Memphis
2/5/2012
Xavier played some of its best basketball of the season for 34 minutes on Saturday. But it was the final 6 that defined the game. Ultimately, that kind of play has defined this season.
The Musketeers (15-8, 6-3) couldn't close the door on Memphis (16-7, 6-2), even with an 11 point lead, as they fell 72-68. It was as heart-breaking a loss as Xavier has experienced all season. Particularly for how well they played for the majority of the game. And then for how awful that final six minutes really was.
For the longest time, Xavier played lock down defense. It was typical of what every Musketeer fan has seen for years. They held the Tigers to 28.6% from three. And the pressure forced 12 turnovers, while they allowed just 11 assists. Essentially, the defense was fairly efficient for much of the day.
And it was Dez Wells' coming out party that set the stage for what could have been a momentum shifting, season defining win. Though this was far from the biggest game Xavier had played, it would have gone a long way to ease worries and woes with a road win. Wells' 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists made him the most impressive player on the court.
Meanwhile, Kenny Frease had his best game in a while, with 10 points and 10 rebounds - his first double-double of the season. And Mark Lyons came off the bench with energy - and some offense. He scored 14, on 4 of 9 shooting, as his woes looked to be gone. Brad Redford, who got the start for Lyons, hit a pair of threes in 18 minutes, as he continues to have a significant impact on games.
But, it was the rest of the team, including senior Tu Holloway, that really let the team down. Holloway had 7 assists, but just 12 points as he was 3 of 12 from the floor, and 2 of 5 from three. He and Lyons would foul out at the end of the game. Travis Taylor, Jeff Robinson, and Dee Davis failed to score off the bench. And their 6 combined turnovers, with no assists, killed the team. There was no production from those players. And Justin Martin continued to sit.
The disappearance of the offense, and the inability to close games, killed Xavier. After Dez Wells hit a jumper with 6:17 to go, the Muskies failed to hit another field goal until there was 7 seconds left. By then, the game was pretty much over.
They were outscored 19-4 in that horrid offensive stretch.
Now, instead of a defining moment, a resurgence for the Musketeers, the team is left to pick up the pieces of a season that continues to slip away.
Rhode Island (5-19, 2-7) travels to Cintas on Wednesday night at 7 to take on the Muskies, who sit a half game out of Temple in the A10, tied with SLU, UMass, and La Salle for second.
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