The No. 16 ranked Saint Xavier University men’s basketball squad has extended their winning streak to nine games after a 100-64 victory over Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) foe Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) on Saturday, January 26 at the Shannon Center in Chicago. SXU has now won 17 of its last 18 games and is on a major roll.
The Cougars were led by junior guard Brad Karp who tallied his 10th double-double of the season with 26 points to go along with 12 rebounds; both were game-highs. Saint Xavier had four double-digit scorers including sophomore guard Jack Krieger and senior point guard Anthony Grant who recorded 10 and 14 points, respectively.
Senior point guard Roosevelt Green played just five minutes in the first half of action due to foul trouble and Green did not record a point. In the second half Green put on a show posting 17 points and 7 assists in 18 minutes of action.
“I felt like I had to come out in the second half and be a presence because in the first half I really did not give my team anything,” said Green. “Our goal is to not lose again this season.”Also, getting his first playing time with his new teammates, star football wide receiver Shane Zackery has joined the men’s basketball team and he recorded eight points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from the field including two three point shots. Zackery became eligible on January, 19 against Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.), but he did not enter the game.
“Roosevelt {Green} told me before the game that if I came in to the game to show everyone that I can play. It meant a lot to come out here in front of the football team and my family and to make two three point shots. This team is just unbelievable, I am coming out here and seeing if I can get a second National Championship under my belt,” said Zackery.
Senior forward Dominique Harvey had a nice outing for SXU with eight points and a career-high five blocks. The Cougars dominated on the boards in the game out-rebounds the Crimson Wave 53-35. Saint Xavier grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and turned those second chances into points scoring 20 on second chance opportunities.
“The rest of our schedule is not that tough so we have to make sure that we do not take these teams lightly and we have to come out and make a statement. We are hopefully going to play Cardinal Stritch in the conference tournament championship, we have to make sure we take care of our own business and not worry about what other teams are doing though. We have to make sure that we keep getting our wins,” said assistant coach DeVon Chandler.
Calumet College was led by sophomore guard Damonte Lowery and freshman guard James Hunt who recorded 12 and 10 points, respectively. The Crimson Wave had a shooting percentage of 35.8 percent on the afternoon on 24-of-67 shooting.
The Cougars have been on a tear as of late as they continue to push towards the postseason.
Saint Xavier travels to Elgin, Ill., for its next game against Judson University (Ill.) on Wednesday, January 30. The game will tip-off at 7:30 p.m.The next home game for Saint Xavier is on Saturday, February 2 against CCAC foe Purdue University Calumet (Ind.). The game is set for a 3 p.m. tip-off at the Shannon Center in Chicago. If you cannot make it out to the game, WXAV 88.3 FM will be broadcasting the event.
By: Greg Pilafas
Deputy Editor in Chief