Anaheim, Calif. — Xavier jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead at the start of its first round game against Pacific in the DIRECTV Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center and it looked like the Musketeers and freshmanSemaj Christon were going to enjoy a big afternoon. Christon had six of Xavier’s nine points at the start. But Pacific prevailed 70-67, handing 3-1 Xavier its first loss of the season. Pacific evened its record at 2-2.
Pacific answered, though, with a pair of 3-pointers to fuel a 12-2 run over a six-minute stretch that gave the Tigers a 12-11 lead with 9:54 left in the half. Pacific built the lead up to six points, 28-22, by the time the two teams reached the four-minute mark. XU closed the gap to two points, 32-30, at intermission thanks to a 3-pointer by sophomore Dee Davis with 22 seconds left.
Xavier came back to tie the score four times in the first four minutes of the second half, the last time coming at 38-all following a resounding dunk by senior Jeff Robinson. The Musketeers never grabbed the lead back in the second half, mainly due to defensive struggles. Pacific controlled the next seven minutes, outscoring Xavier 18-8 and grabbing a 56-46 lead with under nine minutes left in the game.
The second half got away from XU because it allowed 70.8 percent shooting from the field in the second half, preventing any realistic chance of a Xavier comeback. The Musketeers battled back to within three points twice in the final two minutes but could get no closer. A desperation 3-point attempt by Davis at the buzzer was off the mark.
Christon led all scorers with 18 points, while also dishing off a game-high six assists. Davis contributed 14 points., senior Travis Taylor13 and Martin 11.
Xavier takes on Drexel tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT) in a game that will be broadcast on ESPNU.
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