Xavier beats Saint Joseph's 68-55 for 4th straight

By Joe Kay

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Jan. 18 2012 7:11 p.m. MST

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Saint Joseph's coach Phil Martelli talks with guard Chris Wilson in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Xavier, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Cincinnati.

Al Behrman, Associated Press

Summary

Mark Lyons scored 17 points on Wednesday night, and point guard Tu Holloway had a season-high 12 assists in a spread-it-around offense that swept Xavier to its fourth straight victory, 68-55 over Saint Joseph's.

CINCINNATI — Mark Lyons scored 17 points on Wednesday night, and point guard Tu Holloway had a season-high 12 assists in a spread-it-around offense that swept Xavier to its fourth straight victory, 68-55 over Saint Joseph's.

The Musketeers (13-5, 4-1 Atlantic 10 Conference) took control with an 18-2 run early in the second half led by their senior point guard.

Xavier extended its A-10 record to 43 consecutive league wins at home. The Musketeers haven't lost an A-10 game at the Cintas Center since Saint Joseph's beat them 68-58 on Feb. 28, 2006.

The Hawks (12-7, 2-3) couldn't overcome Xavier's second-half run or the loss of guard Carl Jones, who leads the league in scoring with 17.2 points per game. Jones sprained his left ankle during a loss to Massachusetts on Saturday and didn't play.

Halil Kanacevic led Saint Joseph's with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

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