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Xavier put together perhaps their best performance of the season on Tuesday night in defeating Eastern Washington 85-56.
The Musketeers, now 10-2 on the year, were both terrific and efficient, the latter being something they haven’t ben able to put together consistently this year. Coming into the game, they were shooting just 32.3 percent from the 3-point line. On Tuesday, the Musketeers shot 44.0 percent against the Eagles, which ranks as one of their better performances this season.
Five players scored in double figures as Trevon Bluiett led the way with 16 points. Edmond Sumner and JP Macura added 14 and 12 points of their own as the Musketeers’ triple threat put it all together. Malcolm Bernard got in on the fun as well with 10 points scored, while Kaiser Gates chipped in 12 points also, all coming on 3-pointers.
What we learned
Xavier can shoot well from outside after all
Despite their remarkably low average, it appears the Musketeers were able to figure it out at least for one night. Almost everyone was able to get in on the fun as four different players were able to hit at least two 3-pointers on the night. As Xavier heads towards Big East play, they have to hope that this isn’t an anomaly and perhaps a sign of things to come.
Kaiser Gates is an X-Factor
We knew of the kind of talent that Gates had, and it was put on full display on Tuesday night against the Eagles. He can prove to be a necessary weapon for Xavier going forward with games like this where he’s doing a little bit of everything. And should his 3-point shooting not just be a flash in the pan, he can supplement them in that department as well.
Big East play is now on the horizon
We won’t see the Musketeers take the floor again until next Wednesday when they welcome Providence to Cintas Center. Conference play is now officially underway (sans the Crosstown Shootout in late January of course) and Xavier will look to get near the top of the conference again after finishing second last year.