By Joe Kay
The Associated Press

Xavier forward David West dunks the ball in the first half. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

David West sat on one side of the court, watching a ragged game. Twelve NBA scouts sat on the other side, watching David West. Something was very wrong with this picture.

Sent to the bench with two quick fouls, West did next-to-nothing in the first half Friday night, leaving the scouts with little to do except doodle. West then put on a show worthy of a potential first-round draft pick, leading No. 21 Xavier to an 87-58 victory over Ball State.

West scored 20 of his season-high 24 points in the second half as Xavier (6-2) pulled away against a team that had no chance as soon as the 6-foot-9 power forward got back on the floor.

"Every game that we go into, the object of the game is to get me out of the game," said West, who went to the bench with his second foul at 15:28 of the first half. "They did what they could in the first half, and it was close."

Not for long.

West goes to the hoop past Ball State's Kevin Cates. (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

West scored 12 consecutive points in only 3:31 as Xavier quickly took control at the start of the second half. Ball State (5-4) fell behind by as many as 27, watching helplessly as West scored at will.

"I thought we were very passive to start the second half," Ball State coach Tim Buckley said. "To come right out and play that way is inexcusable."

Xavier knew the Cardinals had no one who could handle West inside, so they made point of getting him the ball in range for a layup or dunk.

He made 10 of his 11 shots from the field, all but one of them on moves to the basket.

"They were in some kind of matchup zone," said point guard Lionel Chalmers, who had nine of Xavier's 23 assists. "They were leaving the middle open, so that was the plan - attack. If you get him going early, he can get everyone else involved."

West even took a few turns guarding long-range shooter Chris Williams, who scored most of his 24 points after the game had been decided.