Xavier vs. Fordham Live Blog

Welcome again to the X Blog for LIVE coverage of the Xavier vs. Fordham Valentine's Day match-up. The lights have been dimmed, the starters announced, and we are ready to tip off!

First Half
19:58 - Head Coach Sean Miller called a meeting with the X-Treme fans yesterday to discuss ways to make the group even louder and more organized. The team entered the building down the stairs next to the student section, there was a new intro. video, and the student section is screaming "boing" for every dribble, "pass" for every pass, and "BRICK!" for every Fordham shot. The meeting seems to have worked.

15:37 - At the first media timeout, both teams are shooting 40 percent. Dante Jackson hit a three-pointer after several Musketeer possessions at the 17:44 mark for XU's first basket.

14:27 - Dante Jackson is off to a great start. He just hit his second trey on three attempts, leading the Muskies with eight points already in six minutes of play. Not to be out-done, Redford sank one from downtown as well. The XU lead is three, 13-10.

12:38 - Jio Fontan of the Rams drained a three-pointer with one second left on the clock. He pulled up from at least five feet behind the arc. Sean Miller can't believe it, and neither can the fans. Five of the last seven made baskets have been three's.

9:44 - Apparently Brad Redford wasn't talked about much in the Rams' game plan. He was left open behind the arc on the second straight possession, which is a no-no for any Xavier opponent. Redford capitalized, draining both attempts. He's now 3-4 from deep.

4:26 - A Brad Redford steal just turned into a BJ Raymond three-pointer. Derrick Brown followed with one of his own on the next possession. The Musketeers are 8-14 from beyond the arc, and have been left open for them on a consistent basis. If the Rams don't extend to the perimeter, this percentage will leave them behind VERY fast. The flurry of treys has led to a 16-6 run over the last 6:41.

0:30 - Sean Miller has called a timeout to set up a play for the final 30 seconds and get Brad Redford in the game. Let's see if the freshman can get another.

Halftime - Redford dished to Brown on the block for a slam to finish the half. The freshman demanded the defensive respect that left Brown wide open.

Second Half
17:37 - Xavier has come out strong from halftime. Jason Love added four points to his total already this half, helping XU open a 9-2 run so far. Fordham has yet to hit a field goal. This could be a long second half for them. XU shows no signs of slowing down.

11:21 - Redford may have been six feet behind the line on that last three. The Rams have not learned their lesson. The freshman is now 5-7 from deep.

9:49 - A HUGE Jamel McLean block led to a fast break that would have ended in a giant Derrick Brown slam if the pass was not deflected out of bounds. That break had the makings of a fantastic finish...

5:31 - WOW! Derrick Brown just posterized a Fordham defender on a fast break. Dante Jackson left the ball for him and Brown took off with no concern for the Fordham defensive attempt. Hopefully someone got a picture of that.

4:16 - Stephen Duckett just sank a trey from Brad Redford distance, bring the fans to their feet. XU has tied their season-high for three-pointers.

Final - Xavier has defeated Fordham 88-53. Everyone that played for XU scored a bucket, including a three-pointer for Stephen Duckett and a layup for Joe Hughes. For such a blowout, a surprising number of fans have stayed through 'til the final buzzer. Many career and season highs were set tonight. For a full recap of the game, check www.GoXavier.com.