Keys to a Xavier win over Eastern Michigan, 19th straight 2-0 start

Early in his Xavier debut, guard Ruben Dominguez found himself vibing with a jubilant crowd at Cintas Center.

“It was a great environment,” Dominguez said. “The whole crowd was jumping at the beginning.”

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There was plenty to celebrate from start to finish in Xavier’s 92-57 season-opening win over Mount St. Mary’s.

You can look at 17 turnovers or 10 missed free throws, but Xavier’s dominance was evident after racing out to a 31-5 lead.

More: Xavier flexes its muscles in blowout opening win over Mount St. Mary’s

More: Xavier extends nation’s longest winning streak in season openers

“It’s hard to complain about a 45-point win,” Xavier head coach Richard Pitino said.

Xavier will look to be just as sharp on both ends of the floor when Eastern Michigan visits Cintas Center on Friday, Nov. 6.

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Xavier opens season against Mount St. Mary’s. Check out these photos

Xavier Musketeers guard Tru Washington (3) attempts to guard Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers forward Wilguens Jr. Exacte (7) in the first half of a NCAA men’s basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Cintas Center in Cincinnati.

(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)

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Xavier opens season against Mount St. Mary’s. Check out these photos

Xavier Musketeers guard Tru Washington (3) attempts to guard Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers forward Wilguens Jr. Exacte (7) in the first half of a NCAA men’s basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Cintas Center in Cincinnati.

(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)

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Xavier opens season against Mount St. Mary’s. Check out these photos

Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers forward Noah Limol (12) blocks a layup from Xavier Musketeers forward Jovan Milicevic (24) in the first half of a NCAA men’s basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at Cintas Center in Cincinnati.

(Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer)

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