After starting the season 0-2, the St. Xavier University men’s basketball team squared off against East-West University and Moody Bible on Friday November 4th, and Saturday November 5th.
The Cougars won both games over their opponents in dominating fashion, winning 84-70, and 108-39.
Against EWU, SXU shot 33-54 from the floor (61.1%), which helped push the Cougars to their first victory of the season
Junior forward, Kevin Bishop, led the way scoring 30 points on an unbelievable 77.8% shooting. Bishop not only shot well, but he used his 6’6 frame to grab a team high eleven rebounds.
Senior guard, Jaeden King, added 23 points while nailing 6-6 free throw attempts.
The game wasn’t perfect however, as the Cougars struggled from the three, shooting just 26.7%. They also posted 18 turnovers on an otherwise great team performance.
The very next day, SXU took on Moody Bible Institute. The Cougars got off to a red hot start and never looked back, scoring 108 total points in the game, to MBI’s mere 39 points.
The team’s shooting was on point, making 44-73 attempts (60.3%) including a whopping 14-32 three point attempts (43.8%).
King led the way, scoring a career high 29 points while shooting 13-19 from the floor. He also added a team high 14 rebounds, securing a double-double.
What makes this game so encouraging is the whole squad contributing on offense with incredible efficiency-
- Junior forward, Kevin Bishop,) shot 9-13 from the floor scoring 18 points.
- Junior guard, Julian Barr, shot 6-12 while scoring 17 points.
- Senior guard, Drew Bishop, nailed four three’s on four attempts while scoring a career high 14 points.
- Coming off of the bench, junior guard, Maki Mohr, posted 16 points on 6-11 shooting.
- Sophomore guard, Trey Ward, added 11 points on a perfect 4-4 from the floor.
The entire team got in on the action, whether it was contributing points, playing stifling defense, or high pointing the basketball down low for the rebound.
Senior guard, TJ Babikir, played the facilitator role, making a huge impact with eight assists, eight rebounds, and four points.
No matter what angle you come from, this was the team’s best performance of the season, and an encouraging sign going forward.
The Cougars play two games this next week, their next on Wednesday November 9 at home in the Shannon Center at 7pm against Governors State. They also take on Holy Cross College on the road on Saturday November 12 at 2pm.