What's Happening?
The Xavier Musketeers opened their season with a 66-62 win against the Marist Red Foxes. Malik Messina-Moore led Xavier with 16 points, shooting 4 of 10 from the field and a perfect 7 for 7 from the free-throw line. Jovan Milicevic and All Wright each
contributed 14 points to the victory. Marist's Rhyjon Blackwell was the game's top scorer with 24 points, supported by Elijah Lewis with 15 points and seven rebounds. Xavier maintained a lead throughout the game, extending their advantage to 18 points early in the second half before Marist narrowed the gap.
Why It's Important?
This win is significant for Xavier as it marks a positive start to their season, providing a morale boost and setting a foundation for future games. The performance of key players like Messina-Moore and Wright highlights the team's depth and potential for the season. For Marist, the close loss indicates competitive potential, with standout performances from Blackwell and Lewis suggesting areas of strength to build upon. The game serves as an early indicator of both teams' capabilities and areas needing improvement.
What's Next?
Xavier will aim to build on this victory, focusing on maintaining their defensive strength and improving offensive consistency. Marist will look to refine their strategies, particularly in closing gaps and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Both teams will prepare for their upcoming games, with Xavier seeking to continue their winning momentum and Marist aiming to secure their first win of the season.
