Toledo Blade article on last night's game

[Mr. Neutral]

Article published Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Rockets lose as Kent hits 37 points
Raymond counters with 18 for Xavier
Photo
UT's Tyrone Kent, who had 37 points, is guarded by Xavier's Kenny Frease, left, and B.J. Raymond. The Rockets are 0-2.
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By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

CINCINNATI - The University of Toledo can take two things from last night's 81-65 loss to Xavier here at the Cintas Center.

One, the Rockets showed they can hang in there on the road against a tough opponent. Two, Tyrone Kent could be on his way to one of the best individual seasons in UT history.

Kent scored 32 of his 37 points in the second half, as the Rockets outscored Xavier after halftime. Kent's output, fueled by five 3-pointers and 10 of 10 free throws, was the most by a visiting player at Xavier. He scored the most for a Rocket since Nick Moore's 38 in 2003 against Ball State.

"He's a very special player," UT coach Gene Cross said. "I'm very fortunate to have a guy like him; what we've got to do is try to have other guys step up as well."

Toledo native B.J. Raymond led the Musketeers with 18 points. Raymond's sweet shooting touch was on display as he made 4-of-4 3-pointers. Xavier coach Sean Miller said he thought Raymond was "the best overall player for our team tonight."

"My role is to take open shots and make open shots, not to force anything," Raymond said. "My role is to be a great defender, rebounder and leader."

The game was lost for UT (0-2) in the first half when it scored just four points in the final 7 1/2 minutes of the period. The Rockets shot 28 percent in the half and had nine turnovers.

After falling behind 12-4 to start the game, UT caused a flurry of Xavier turnovers and drew some confidence from its defense. Three consecutive baskets by Justin Anyijong, two on baseline jumpers, tied the score at 15.

Xavier (2-0) answered with a 21-4 run to end the half. Sophomore Jamel McLean had back-to-back dunks that energized the crowd. UT couldn't respond because of its tentativeness on offense, showing signs it is still learning the motion offense. The Rockets rotated the ball around the perimeter, but Xavier's 7-footer Kenny Frease and 6-8 Derrick Brown clogged the lane.

"We did break out in the second half because I don't think there was any pressure on our guys," Cross said. "We've got to be aggressive the entire game. We can't sit back and wait for our opportunities to come.

"The second half we started to get to the rim and get to the basket. We had better ball movement and ball reversal."

Xavier dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle 43-20 including 16 offensive rebounds. Anyijong had five boards to lead UT.

In the first half, Kent struggled along with the rest of the UT offense, making 2 of 7 shots. A weave through the lane followed by a one-handed dunk got him going in the second half. He made five straight
3-pointers. Even when it became evident Kent would be the only one shooting for UT, Xavier still couldn't stop him.

"It's like you've got the feeling you won't miss," Kent said.

Freshman Zac Taylor, a Clay graduate, saw his first action of the season for the Rockets. He scored two points and grabbed one rebound in six minutes.

[muskieman]

I was impressed with the toughness of their guards last night. I was surprised that their senior guards though didn't take care of the ball very much and in one important possession turned it over with an unforced error. Their 2 big guys were soft and one, ANYIJONG, appeared to like the outside even though he was their center.

I was concerned that X for the third straight game was less effective in the 2nd half than in the 1st half. It appears, and I have no hard evidence, that there are less substitutions except for the final minutes. I don't know if that means guys might be a little more tired in the second half or it is loss of focus with the leads they have enjoyed. I realize that few teams have their foot on the other team's neck the whole game, especially at the beginning of the season.