The men’s basketball team lost, 96-74, at Xavier on Dec. 1.
Skylar Wicks continued to stuff the stat sheet for SFU, recording 19 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. The six assists were a season-high and tied for his career best.
Wicks returned to action at Xavier after missing his team’s previous game against Franciscan because of an injury.
Maryland native Zion Russell had 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the 24-point loss. His eight rebounds were a season-high and tied his personal best.
Senior Gestin Liberis reached double figures in scoring for the second consecutive game with 10 points. Sophomore Ralph Martino scored a career-high nine points.
K.J. Swain – who grew up 30 miles from the Xavier campus – made his first career start in front of a large contingent of family and friends. Swain spent two years as a student at Xavier before transferring to SFU and joining the Red Flash basketball program.
He played at SFU as a walk-on for two years before earning a scholarship prior to the start of this season.
Flash freshman Paris Papadatos made his collegiate debut at Xavier and scored his first career points on a floater in the lane in the second half.
SFU (1-7) played without injured starter Chris Moncrief for a sixth straight game.
The game featured two head coaches who followed in their fathers’ footsteps into coaching.
Red Flash head coach Luke McConnell is the son of Tom McConnell, SFU’s former head coach. Xavier’s head coach, Richard Pitino, is in his first year leading the Musketeers. He is the son of Hall-of-Fame coach Rick Pitino.
Xavier’s Roddie Anderson scored 28 points off the bench to lead all scorers. He knocked down five three-pointers for the Musketeers (6-3).
Saint Francis plays at home against Penn State Shenango on Dec. 3. The game tips off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on NEC FrontRow.
