Grand Rapids, Mich. – Senior forward
Davion Lawrence (Oak Lawn, Ill./Moraine Valley/Oak Lawn Community) scored a season on 20 points on 9-for-17 shooting from the field, along with seven rebounds and an assist for Saint Xavier University men's basketball (1-2, 0-0 CCAC) in an 85-80 setback to Lourdes University (Ohio) on day one of the Drury Inn Classic hosted by Aquinas College (Mich.) Friday evening in Grand Rapids, Mich. Lawrence was one of five players for the Cougars, four of whom were starters, to score in double figures. SXU fell behind 14-2 in the first half at the 13:37 mark. A layup by Lawrence pulled Saint Xavier within three points, 28-25 just over 10 minutes later and they would trail 36-30 at halftime.
Senior guard
Ashton Atwater (Kalamazoo, Mich./Kalamazoo Valley/Ostego) knocked down a three-pointer after he received a pass from Lawrence to tie the game at 51-51 midway through the second half at 11:35. Redshirt junior guard
DJ Wilson (Schaumburg, Ill./Maryville/Panola/Schaumburg) made a pair of foul shots just over two minutes later to give the Cougars their first lead, 55-54, since the opening minute of the contest. Senior guard
Mekhi Wilson (Covington, Ky./Iowa Central/Covington Catholic) gave SXU its largest lead of the game, 65-58, after he sank a jump shot with 6:01 remaining in regulation. The Gray Wolves would chip away and take the lead down the stretch in the final two minutes of play.
- Mekhi Wilson made four three-pointers in the game, finishing with 16 points. He added three rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes off the bench.
- DJ Wilson tallied 14 points, going 5-for-5 from the foul line, with seven rebounds, two steals and an assist.
- Atwater went 4-for-8 from beyond the arc, collecting 14 points, while adding five assists, two rebounds and a steal.
- Senior guard Jerry Abushanab (Glendale Heights, Ill./Oklahoma Panhandle State/Southwest Baptist/Link Prep) totaled 11 points while shooting 4-for-5 from the floor, seven rebounds, five assists and a pair of blocked shots.
- Senior guard Ike Nwaobi (York/Kilgore/Costal Bend/Westbrook) recorded six points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Saint Xavier (1-2, 0-0 CCAC) concludes play in the Drury Inn Classic on Saturday, November 8 when they take on Aquinas College (Mich.). The game is set for a 4:00 pm central start.
