WACO, Texas – Not everything went right for Xavier men's basketball in the first half of its Top 10 showdown with Baylor, but the Musketeers checked enough boxes that they should feel pretty good about their standing in the game ahead of the second half.
No. 7 Xavier (7-0) took a 34-31 lead into half against the No. 9 Baylor University Bears Saturday at the Ferrell Center.
On the strength of a rebounding advantage (25-16), a 10-4 advantage on the offensive glass and junior guard Trevon Bluiett's game-high 12 points and five rebounds, the Musketeers weathered the hosts' inevitable opening surge and, at times, quieted the rowdy home crowd throughout the opening 20 minutes.