Jalen Reynolds added 11 points for Xavier (3-0), which denied Morehead State its first 3-0 start since the 1993-94 season. Isaiah Philmore chipped in 10 points and Matt Stainbrook had seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in the win.
Chad Posthumus came off the bench to lead Morehead State (2-1) with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Luka Pajkovic added 11 points for the Eagles, who shot 29.2 percent from the floor, including a dismal 18.5 percent while making only five field goals in the first half.
Despite the cold start, Morehead State led by one until Xavier reeled off a 12-0 run for a 24-15 lead. The Musketeers put together another 12-2 run to close out the half after a combined 28 fouls and 34 free throws.
Trailing 38-23 at the intermission, Morehead State managed only two baskets over the first 11:45 of the second half, as Xavier jumped out to a 61-38 lead. The Musketeers finished 21-of-30 from the foul line while the Eagles were 24-of-38.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Christon stretched his streak of scoring 10 or more points to 22 straight games going back to last season. ... Xavier had 20 assists, including nine by G Dee Davis, while Morehead State had seven. ... Xavier had both F Justin Martin (dizziness) and Davis (concussion) back in the lineup with Martin scoring eight points and Davis adding seven.
Morehead St. | Xavier | |
Chad Posthumus 12 | Scoring | Semaj Christon 20 |
Kareem Storey 2 | Assists | Dee Davis 9 |
Chad Posthumus 12 | Rebounds | Matt Stainbrook 10 |
Chad Posthumus 6 | Free Throws Made | Justin Martin 6 |
Angelo Warner 4 | Steals | Dee Davis 3 |
Chad Posthumus 1 | Blocks | Matt Stainbrook 3 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Morehead St. | 56 | 29.2 | 4-18 | 24-38 | 7 | 32 | 1 | 6 | 17 |
Xavier | 79 | 52.8 | 2-9 | 21-30 | 20 | 32 | 6 | 7 | 14 |