Xavier vs. Cincinnati Crosstown Shootout final score: 3 things we learned from XU's 59-57 win

The 82nd edition of the Crosstown Shootout was as good as you could ask for.

Despite a ferocious effort by the Cincinnati Bearcats in the final six minutes, the Xavier Musketeers held off their hated rival by the score of 59-57, netting themselves a huge road win in the process.

Trevon Bluiett, who did not score a single point in the game up until the waning moments, was responsible for giving his Musketeers the lead with mere moments left in the game, pouring on two clutch free throws.

Not a bad way to introduce yourself to this rivalry, eh?

Here are three things we learned from this epic encounter:

1. The Davis Duo was tremendous for Xavier

Dee Davis, playing in what is his final Crosstown Shootout game as a senior, delivered a brilliant performance to cap off his run against the Bearcats. In 40 minutes, Davis scored 16 points, dished eight assists out, committed only one turnover, and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the 3-point arc. Compounding onto Dee's prodigious night was the other Davis on the Musketeers. Myles Davis -- a sophomore who scored just five points in 17 minutes in last year's 64-47 win for X over the rival Bearcats -- bursted out with an 12-point, four rebound night on Wednesday.

2. The Crosstown Shootout still delivers the goods

It's easy to see why one of our writers believed this was the best rivalry in college basketball. When you take two teams who are right down the street from one another it creates a stupendous environment, and that's exactly what the case was at the Fifth Third Arena. Intense play from start to finish helped write another excellent contest between these two hated rivals.

3. Both Xavier and Cincinnati are likely tournament-quality teams

The résumés may still need some work, and both teams would likely serve themselves better with a few wins in their respective conference tournaments. But, as it stands now, I wouldn't be surprised nor would I complain if both the Musketeers and Bearcats were in the field of 68. Both squads certainly have their fair share of talent and experience and and Xavier's win was exactly what they needed for that aforementioned résumé. It's still mid-February, but expect these two teams to be dancing in about a month.