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Xavier hosts Duquesne gunning for ninth straight win

Feb 21, 2008 - 2:47 PM Duquesne (16-8) at No. 12 Xavier (22-4) 7:00 pm EST

CINCINNATI (Ticker) - Xavier goes for its ninth straight win on Thursday when it hosts Duquesne in an Atlantic-10 showdown.

Twelfth-ranked Xavier (22-4, 10-1 Atlantic 10) currently holds a three-game lead in the conference on the strength of an eight-game win streak, which includes an 81-77 victory over Rhode Island on Monday.

Josh Duncan scored 23 points, five rebounds and four assists to lead the Musketeers. The senior also had a perfect game from the floor, hitting 8-of-8 shots while making all four of his free-throws and each of his three 3-pointers.

The team's leading scorer at 11.7 points per game, Duncan has scored in double-figures in each game during the win streak and has at least 20 points in his previous two contests.

Duquesne (16-8, 6-5) had a three-game win streak snapped on Saturday, suffering a 69-66 setback to Richmond.

The Dukes had just two players in double figures against Richmond as Bill Clark scored 15 points while Reggie Jackson added 12.

If Duquesne can steal a victory from Xavier, it would mark the first time in school history that the team has won three-consecutive A-10 road games.