Xavier rolls to 79-50 win over Massachusetts

CINCINNATI – Tu Holloway scored 19 points and Kenny Frease added 16 to lead a balanced Xavier offense as the Musketeers notched their biggest win of the season, a 79-50 Atlantic 10 Conference romp over Massachusetts on Wednesday night.

Mark Lyons scored 15 points, Dante Jackson added 11 and Jamel McLean had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds as the Musketeers (10-5, 2-0) extended their A-10 homecourt winning streak to 33 games, one short of the conference record set by Temple from Dec. 10, 1987, through Feb. 19, 1991.

Xavier can tie the record with a win Saturday over Dayton.

The Musketeers, who lost their last two games going into conference play, have won their first two A-10 games by 27 and 29 points, respectively. Xavier won 72-45 at Rhode Island on Sunday.

Anthony Gurley scored 12 points to lead Massachusetts (9-6, 1-1), which has lost six straight to Xavier.

The Minutemen haven't beaten the Musketeers in Cincinnati since Jan. 9, 2001, Xavier's first Cintas Center loss.

Gurley, the only Minuteman to reach double figures, has scored at least 12 points in each game this season.

Massachusetts, the A-10's worst 3-point shooting team at 27.9 percent going into the game, shot 26.1 percent (6 of 23) while setting a season-low in points for the second consecutive game.

The Minutemen scored 55 in their five-point win over Dayton at Massachusetts on Sunday.

Xavier took advantage of Massachusetts' poor shooting and ball-handling to take a 35-18 halftime lead.

The Minutemen's six first-half field goals were just one more than the five 3-pointers made by the Musketeers. Holloway scored 10 points during Xavier's 21-4 run in the last 8 minutes of the first half.

Massachusetts missed its last five shots and committed three turnovers going into halftime.