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Xavier looks to bounce back against Fordham

Feb 14, 2009 - 11:30 AM Fordham (3-18) at No. 14 Xavier (20-4) 4:00 p.m. EST

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- Thought to be the class of the Atlantic 10, No. 14 Xavier seems to have hit a rut.

The Musketeers will be looking to snap a two-game slide when they face lowly Fordham on Saturday.

Xavier (20-4, 8-2 Atlantic 10) watched its undefeated run in the conference go up in smoke with losses at Duquesne and Dayton in the past eight days to fall into second place.

Wednesday's 71-58 loss to Dayton marked the first time the Musketeers had fallen to their in-state rivals in three years. Xavier shot 3-of-14 from beyond the arc and 9-of-17 from the free-throw line while turning the ball over 15 times.

Derrick Brown was the lone bright spot in the setback, scoring 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting. The junior forward leads the Musketeers in scoring at 14 points per game.

Fordham (3-18, 1-9) should provide Xavier with an easy step back to dominance.

The Rams have dropped three straight by an average of 26 points and have lost 11 of 12.

The Musketeers put six players in double figures while pounding Fordham, 86-60, on January 11.