NCAA Game Summary - Xavier at St. John's

New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Jalen Reynolds posted a double-double with 17 points and 16 rebounds, as the Xavier Musketeers handed a 65-53 defeat to the St. John's Red Storm in a Big East Conference bout at Madison Square Garden.

Semaj Christon added 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Musketeers (19-9, 9-6 Big East), while Matt Stainbrook finished with 13 points, Isaiah Philmore scored 11 and Dee Davis dished out nine assists.

For the Red Storm (18-11, 8-8), JaKarr Sampson led the way with 14 points, with Rysheed Jordan and Orlando Sanchez each chipping in with 11 points off the bench in a losing effort.

Despite connecting on 56 percent of their field goal tries in the first half, the Musketeers took just a 31-30 lead to the break, as they missed all four of their 3-point tries. The Red Storm shot 41.4 percent from the field but were somewhat more effective on the perimeter, hitting on 2-of-7 from beyond the arc.

After halftime both squads struggled to put the ball through the hoop, with Xavier shooting just 37 percent and St. John's just 32.3 percent, with the Red Storm missing all nine of their 3-point chances. Leading by just one, 39-38, the Musketeers used a 10-1 run to take a double-digit lead and remain in control the rest of the way.

Xavier was dominant in the paint, outscoring St. John's 38-22. The Musketeers also had the edge at the charity stripe, finishing the contest with a 15-7 edge in made free throws i order to help combat 15 turnovers on the night.