The Sports Xchange
Nov 13, 2017
CINCINNATI -- Trevon Bluiett scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, and Tyrique Jones added 19 points and eight rebounds to lift No. 15 Xavier to a 101-75 victory over Rider on Monday night at Cintas Center.
Bluiett, who scored 25 points in Friday's season opener against Morehead State, was limited by a shoulder issue throughout the preseason. But the national player of the year candidate has made 17 of 26 shots and has 51 points in two games.
J.P. Macura scored 14 points, Paul Scruggs had 13 and Kaiser Gates added 12 for Xavier (2-0), which scored more than 100 points in consecutive games for the first time since 2009.
Much like their season-opening 101-49 win over Morehead, the Musketeers did well penetrating and kicking for open 3-pointers. The shots weren't falling early against Rider for Xavier, which finished 10 of 31 from distance.
Stevie Jordan and Jordan Allen each scored 14 points for Rider (1-1).
Jones had two dunks in the first three minutes and once was told by an official to stop the chatter only seconds into the game. The 6-foot-9 sophomore scored nine first-half points on 4-of-4 shooting. He also had four rebounds before halftime.
Bluiett beat the shot clock with a long 3-pointer to make the score 24-11. He had 13 of his points in the first half.
Xavier was sloppy at times in the half with eight turnovers.
Rider cut a 19-point lead to 10 on Allen's 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer, which made the score 44-34.
Rider cut the deficit to five points at 44-39 early in the second half, resulting in some nervous moments for the crowd.
Xavier responded with a 22-4 run in five-plus minutes to build a 71-48 lead with 11:54 remaining.
NOTES: Xavier has won 32 straight non-conference home games. Its last loss was 56-55 to Wofford on Dec. 22, 2012. ... Xavier G Trevon Bluiett was named to the Big East Conference honor roll after scoring 25 points in a season-opening 101-49 win over Morehead State. ... Rider G Jordan Allen's 21 points on Friday are the most for a Broncs freshman in his debut in at least the past 22 years. ... Monday's game was the first meeting between the schools.