The Xavier men’s basketball team took the floor for the first time on Saturday night after an offseason of sorrows. The Musketeers were victorious, defeating the Kentucky State Thoroughbreds 74-53 in exhibition.
All but one of Xavier’s starting five players scored in the double-digits.
Redshirt junior forward Erik Stenger, a Cincinnati native, transferred to Xavier last year after playing two seasons at then Division II Northern Kentucky. Stenger fell one rebound short of a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. But Stenger did not stop there. He also had four blocks, one assist and three steals, tying for the team high.
Also adding 12 points for the Musketeers was another Cincinnatian, freshman guard Semaj Christon.
The freshman posted five assists and two steals in his 33 minutes of play. Christon saw fewer minutes than only one of his teammates, sophomore point guard Dee Davis, who played for 34 minutes.
Davis fell just short of the double-digits with eight total points but added five assists, one block and two steals for the Musketeers.
Xavier’s other 12-point scorer was one of the few Xavier returners from last season, senior forward Jeff Robinson. Robinson also posted five boards, one assist and three steals.
While Friday’s game was just an exhibition game against a Division II school, it provided fans with hope that this offseason filled with woes may still produce a team that can hold its own.
Xavier will return to the floor to take on Farleigh Dickinson in its first regular season game at 7 p.m. on Friday at Cintas Center.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025