Dec. 1, 2007

Box Score |  Photo Gallery  | Postgame Press Conference

CINCINNATI - Senior guard Stanley Burrell scored a game-high 18 points and moved into 20^th place on Musketeers' all-time scoring list as the Xavier University men's basketball mauled Belmont by a 90-49 count on Saturday evening in front of 9,761 at Cintas Center.  With the win, Xavier's fifth in-a-row, XU improves to 6-1 on the year while the Bruins slip to 5-3. 

 

Burrell's 18 came on 7-of-11 shooting and he was a sizzling 4-of-5 from beyond the 3-point arc.  The Indianapolis native has now scored 1,335 career points at XU. 

 

Burrell was joined in double-figures by juniors C.J. Anderson and B.J. Raymond.  Raymond scored 15 points and buried three 3-point field goals while Anderson registered 14 points and was 6-of-9 from the floor. 

 

Senior forward Josh Duncan had a solid night, hauling in a career-high 10 rebounds and finishing one point shy of a double-double. 

 

Junior center Charles Bronson added a career-high eight points in seven minutes of action and was one of seven Musketeers to chase down at least four rebounds. 

 

Xavier led 41-25 at halftime and would never let Belmont shrink its deficit to less than 13 points.  Burrell connected on a 3-pointer with 18:10 remaining in the second half to give XU a 47-30 lead, sparking XU's decisive 20-7 run over the next 8:30. 

 

XU dominated in all facets of this contest, out-rebounding the Bruins 51-to-33 and holding a 42-16 edge in points in the paint and an 18-2 edge in second chance points.  Xavier opportunistically took advantage of Belmont's 15 turnovers, converting the miscues into 20 points. 

 

Xavier shot a tidy 50.8 percent from the floor and was equally efficient on the defensive end, holding Belmont to only 26.6 shooting.  XU scorched the nets at a 52.6 percent clip from long range.  The contest marked the fourth time this year XU has scored 90 or more points.  

 

Shane Dansby led the way for Belmont with 10 points and seven boards. 

 

The Musketeers stormed out of the gate and seized a commanding 16-6 lead with 12:40 to go in the first half.  Anderson capped the early run with back-to-back baskets. 

 

The Bruins would not go away quietly though and charged out to a 9-2 run over the next four minutes to pull within three points, 18-15, at the 8:20 mark. 

 

XU would answer on the strength of a 10-0 run, which was keyed by consecutive 3-pointers by Raymond.  The Musketeers would gradually stretch the lead out and built a 41-25 edge at the break.  Xavier has led at intermission in each game this season.  

 

Xavier will return to the hardwood when it welcomes Creighton to Cintas Center on Wednesday, December 5.  Game time is set for 8 p.m.