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Brown, Anderson lead Xavier to easy win

Dec 11, 2008 - 5:44 AM CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Derrick Brown's perfect effort gave Xavier a rare easy win.

Brown scored 15 of his 18 points in the first half as No. 9 Xavier remained undefeated by posting a 78-56 rout of Ohio on Wednesday.

C.J. Anderson added 13 of his team-high 22 points prior to halftime for the Musketeers (8-0), who continued a strong showing on their home court. Xavier has won 29 of its last 30 games at the Cintas Center.

After winning each of its previous five games by single digits, Xavier took control of this one right away, scoring 15 of the contest's first 20 points. Anderson had six quick points and Brown added four.

The Musketeers went on another big run right before the half, scoring 18 straight points to grab a 48-22 advantage with 21 seconds left. Brown, a junior forward, contributed a three-point play and five points.

"It was our best first half (of the season) because we scored almost 50 points," Xavier coach Sean Miller said. "We passed the ball well. We attacked the basket. If two of our three big seniors is having a good night, that makes us more effective."

Overall, Brown finished 7-of-7 from the field - making all three of his 3-pointers - to score at least 12 points for the sixth time in his last seven games.

"It's been awhile since I felt as well as I do, and to dunk like I usually do," Brown said. "I felt today, for the first time, like my old self, not worrying about the strength of my ankle."

"Derrick Brown is over the ankle (injury) physically, and more important, he believes he is over the ankle (injury) physically," Miller said.

Brown also had five assists for Xavier, which finished with 18 on 24 baskets.

Anderson went 7-of-9 from the floor, made 8-of-12 free throws and grabbed seven rebounds.

"C.J. (Anderson) is our leader," Miller said. "He's our leader when he turns it over, and he's our leader when he plays well. In the first half, he was playing his best and I thought our team fed off him."

B.J. Raymond scored 11 points and Jason Love added six, seven rebounds and four blocks for the Musketeers, who continued their best start since beginning 10-0 in 1996-97.

Reserve forward Jamal McLean added three of the 12 blocks by Xavier, which recorded its most rejections in a game since a contest with Coastal Carolina on November 17, 2001. Current NBA star David West had a school-record eight blocks in that game.

Outside of the big win, the game was a significant one for the Musketeers, as freshman point guard Terrell Holloway returned to the team following a two-game absence because of a stress fracture in his left foot.

Holloway played 15 minutes off the bench, scoring two points, grabbing three rebounds and handing out three assists.

"I've been anxious to get back on the court with C.J. (Anderson), Derrick (Brown), and the rest of the guys," Holloway said. "I was pain-free. It felt good."

Xavier got its playmaker back four days before it faces inter-city rival Cincinnati on Saturday. The Musketeers have won two of the last three meetings.

"Were sure they're ready," Anderson said. "We're just looking forward to the game."

Jerome Tillman scored 16 points and Tommy Freeman 15 for the Bobcats (4-4), who shot 34.5 percent (20-of-58) from the field.