Nationally ranked Xavier University made quick work of USC to secure a spot in Sunday’s finals at the AdvoCare Invitational, finishing 87-77 Friday afternoon.
XU broke free of the Trojans brief and early hold, piling 17 unanswered points while going 19-33 in the field, 6-13 beyond the arc and 10-14 at the free throw line in the first half, compared to South California’s 9-26, 3-7 and 6-9 mark, respectively.
Musketeers’ Miles Davis cut short an easy USC layup and created a fast break opportunity that began to characterize South California’s dry spell. Second to Trevon Bluiett in three-pointers and points scored, Davis’ playmaking led in successful similarity to Thursday’s victorious game against Alabama that finished at a wide 64-45 score margin.
USC edged in a few points off jumpers and a dunk by Julian Jacobs to bring the score to 27-11 but could not shake the 25 rebounds, 9 turnovers and 5 steals stacked against them.
Halftime saw the Ohio team double their opponent’s score 54-27.
Friday’s lead scorer Trevon Bluiett cleared 10 baskets for 16 points to give Xavier a 36 point second half lead at its largest.
South California picked up their play in the second half although Xavier would keep pace, never letting up less than a double digit lead. Nationally ranked in the Associated Press polls, a 5-0 record turned to six in the game controlled by XU.
The Musketeers claimed the first semi-finals in the invitational and will face the winner of the Monmouth vs. Dayton semi-final late Friday at 9 p.m.
XU broke free of the Trojans brief and early hold, piling 17 unanswered points while going 19-33 in the field, 6-13 beyond the arc and 10-14 at the free throw line in the first half, compared to South California’s 9-26, 3-7 and 6-9 mark, respectively.
Musketeers’ Miles Davis cut short an easy USC layup and created a fast break opportunity that began to characterize South California’s dry spell. Second to Trevon Bluiett in three-pointers and points scored, Davis’ playmaking led in successful similarity to Thursday’s victorious game against Alabama that finished at a wide 64-45 score margin.
USC edged in a few points off jumpers and a dunk by Julian Jacobs to bring the score to 27-11 but could not shake the 25 rebounds, 9 turnovers and 5 steals stacked against them.
Halftime saw the Ohio team double their opponent’s score 54-27.
Friday’s lead scorer Trevon Bluiett cleared 10 baskets for 16 points to give Xavier a 36 point second half lead at its largest.
South California picked up their play in the second half although Xavier would keep pace, never letting up less than a double digit lead. Nationally ranked in the Associated Press polls, a 5-0 record turned to six in the game controlled by XU.
The Musketeers claimed the first semi-finals in the invitational and will face the winner of the Monmouth vs. Dayton semi-final late Friday at 9 p.m.