By Stretch Jenkinson

Jan. 13, 2024

BOX SCORE

https://goxavier.com/documents/2024/1/13/2342138.PDF

SEASON STATS

https://goxavier.com/documents/2024/1/13/XavMBB0113.pdf

Green scores career-best 23, Claude adds 21 in 85-65 win

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A career-game from Trey Green and a 21-point performance from Desmond Claude led four Musketeers in double figures as Xavier took the 85-65 road win at Providence on Saturday afternoon at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

The Musketeers moved to 8-8 (2-3 BIG EAST), while Providence dropped to 11-6 (2-4 BIG EAST)

Xavier jumped out to an early lead, taking a 9-4 advantage into the first media time out. PC responded with a 12-2 run, going ahead by as many as 11 in the first half. The Musketeers, led by Desmond Claude’s 19 first-half points, outscored the Friars 24-9 over the next eight minutes to retake the lead, going ahead 41-37 in the final minute of the first half before a PC three set the halftime score at 41-40 in favor of Xavier.

The Musketeers opened up the second half by outscoring the Friars 23-5 to lead by 19, 64-45, with 11 minutes to play. A 9-2 PC run would cut Xavier’s lead back to 11, the closest it would get for the remainder of the game. Trey Green scored seven of his 18 second half points to re-extend the lead to 73-55. Providence would cut it back to 12 late in the game, but Xavier closed the game on an 8-0 run to take the 20-point lead, winning by that margin, 85-65.

• Trey Green finished with a career-best 23 points, topping his previous career-high of 10 (set four times) after leading Xavier with 18 points in the second half. He shot 9-14 from the floor, hitting 5-of-8 from three. He also grabbed six rebounds.
• Desmond Claude finished with 21 points after leading Xavier with 19 in the first half, connecting on three of six shots from outside.
• Gytis Nemeikša added 11 for the Musketeers, shooting 2-of-3 from outside. He led Xavier on the boards with seven rebounds.
• Quincy Olivari finished with 10 points, shooting 2-of-4 from outside.
• Dayvion McKnight led Xavier with eight assists to go with eight points and five rebounds.
• The Musketeers shot over 50 percent from the floor, including making a season-high 12 threes on 24 attempts, while limiting the Friars to just under 40 percent shooting from the floor, including an 8-of-30 mark from three.
• Xavier finished with a 38-29 advantage on rebounds.

• Xavier returns to Cintas Center to host Butler on Tuesday, January 16. The Musketeers and the Bulldogs are set for a 6:30 p.m. tip on FS1.

COURTESY XAVIER ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS