CINCINNATI — In an exciting season opener, Ryan Conwell led the Xavier Musketeers to a 78-69 victory over Texas Southern, scoring 21 points in the match.
Zach Freemantle contributed significantly with 19 points, showcasing impressive shooting by making 5 of 9 attempts and excelling at the free-throw line with 9 of 10. He also recorded a double-double, gathering 11 rebounds, and showcased his defensive skills with four steals. Dayvion McKnight joined the scoring barrage, finishing the game with 19 points after shooting 5 of 9 from the field and going a perfect 8 for 8 on free throws.

The Texas Southern Tigers saw their scoring efforts led by Kavion McClain, who matched Conwell’s output with a total of 21 points. Meanwhile, Kolby Granger added 15 points to the scoreboard, while Grayson Carter chipped in with 10 points.

The first half witnessed a competitive back-and-forth as Conwell tallied 10 of his points, allowing Xavier to stay close, although they entered halftime down 38-34. The tide turned in the second half when Xavier unleashed an impressive 15-2 run, erasing a slim one-point deficit and surged ahead to secure a 69-57 lead with 6:53 left in the contest. Conwell sealed the deal by adding 11 points after the break, solidifying the Musketeers’ season-opening win.