Buffalo vs. Xavier final score: Musketeers improve to 2-0 with win over Bulls

Every year since Chris Mack became head coach in 2009, the Xavier Musketeers have won their first two games of the season.

That trend continued Monday night, when the Musketeers defeated the Buffalo Bulls, 86-53.

It was a particularly long game, with a combined 59 fouls being called. Most college basketball games don’t take two and a half hours these days. This one did.

The Musketeers continued to do what works best for them: Give the ball to Edmond Sumner, Trevon Bluiett, or JP Macura, and let them cook. Each of those three had at least 13 points with Macura leading the way with 18.

Additionally, freshmen Quentin Goodin and Tyrique Jones had nice nights, with 11 points and 11 rebounds respectively.

Buffalo was led by Nick Perkins’ 15 points. This was the Bulls’ lowest offensive output since scoring 52 points in a loss to Kentucky in November 2014.

A notable improvement for Xavier from their season-opening win against Lehigh was their defense. After giving up 81 to the Mountain Hawks, giving up just 53 to the back-to-back MAC Champions is phenomenal.

The Musketeers will now head to Orlando for a Thursday afternoon matinee with the Missouri Tigers to open the Tire Pros Invitational.