Wednesday night's game between Xavier and Saint Joseph's got off to an emotional start as SJU head coach Phil Martelli walked onto the court with 16-year old Lenny Martelli (no relation), who'd been paralyzed in a snowboarding accident a year ago. But whatever boost the Hawks could gain from such an event, one that transcends competition, was negated early by their inability to contain guard Mark Lyons and center Kenny Frease. Lyons scored a game-high 24 points and Frease chipped in with a double-double (17 points and 10 rebounds) as Xavier (19-6, 10-1) defeated the Hawks 74-54 at Hagan Arena.

Tu Holloway added 14 points and seven assists for the Musketeers, who have now won 11 of their last 12 games. Idris Hilliard scored 13 to lead Saint Joseph's (7-18, 2-9) and Langston Galloway added 11 in a losing effort. The disparity in the offensive performances of the two teams highlighted the differences between the veteran Musketeers and young Hawks. Xavier shot 48% from the field while assisting on 17 of their 27 field goals, a far cry from the numbers the Hawks put up. Saint Joseph's shot just 31% from the field and finished with just eight assists on the night as they lost for 10th time in their last 12 games.

Carl Jones answered a Frease jumper with a three-pointer to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead just over a minute into the game, but Xavier would score five straight points to retake the lead. Saint Joseph's would hold their own in the early going however, leading 13-9 with just over 13 minutes left in the half following a Hilliard three-point play. The Hawks would lead by as many as five points at two different points in the half before Xavier hit another gear.