Old, new faces lead Xavier to outdoor exhibition win over Dayton

MASON, Ohio − On a tennis court that earlier this year welcomed some of the biggest names in the sport, Xavier men’s basketball found a different way to make history on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

Once a sun-splashed afternoon morphed into a beautiful autumn evening, Xavier beat Dayton in an outdoor exhibition, 82-75, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in the CareSource Invitational.

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Last season, Xavier tried its best not to hit the panic button after a preseason exhibition loss to Murray State at home. One year later, head coach Richard Pitino will make sure his squad won’t overreact to a positive preseason result.

Though it won’t count for anything when it comes to Xavier’s record, the Musketeers’ win might serve as a nice confidence builder with the start of the regular season less than a month away.

Last season, Xavier won just three games away from home. That included an 81-day stretch of losses outside Cintas Center before a first-round win in the Big East Tournament. On Wednesday, Xavier showcased the toughness and physicality it so desperately needed last year in a marquee non-conference matchup against a former Atlantic-10 rival.

Xavier vs. Dayton exhibition basketball in the CareSource Invitational at the Lindner Tennis Center in Mason on Oct. 7.

New, old faces lead Xavier past Dayton in CareSource Invitational

Prior to the start of fall practice, Pitino said this year’s Xavier team might have the “most depth” he’s ever had in his 15 seasons as a head coach.

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That depth was on display as Pitino utilized 11 different Musketeers against the Flyers, while eight played double-digit minutes.

Center Mike Nwoko made his presence felt inside, leading the Musketeers with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double down low. His fellow team captain and former high school teammate Jovan Milicevic, Xavier’s top returner, added 13 points.

They were two of four Xavier players to reach double figures as sharpshooter Ruben Dominguez connected four times from distance and…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/old-faces-lead-xavier-outdoor-001258591.html

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Publish date : 2026-10-08 00:12:00

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