Xavier defeats Cincinnati in Crosstown Shootout

For the tenth time since the 2007-08 season, the Xavier Musketeers have won the Crosstown Shootout, picking up a 77-69 victory over the Cincinnati Bearcats Sunday at Fifth Third Arena.

As is seemingly always the case when these two teams meet up, we were treated to a back and forth clash, as neither team seemed poised to take the upper hand until the very end when the Musketeers pulled away. Xavier’s first half was led by a balanced scoring attack, as Paul Scruggs had 10 points, Nate Johnson had eight, Zach Freemantle had seven, and Adam Kunkel had six, as the four players combined for 31 of the Musketeers 37 first half points, leading to a 37-35 advantage after the first 20 minutes.

The second half was even more of a slugfest, as the teams traded the lead back and forth four times before the Musketeers finally got it and wouldn’t surrender it. Scruggs, along with Zach Freemantle, really excelled in the second half.

Keith Williams led Cincinnati with 18 points.

Xavier returns to action Wednesday when they host the Oklahoma Sooners.