By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

David West, 30, celebrates his team's win. (Gary Landers photos) | ZOOM |

Xavier head coach Thad Matta urges his team on. | ZOOM |

West blocks a shot against the UD's Warren Williams. | ZOOM |

West is surrounded by Keith Waleskowski, Sean Finn, and Ramond Marshall. | ZOOM |

DAYTON - Dayton brought the double-team early and often to David West on Saturday.

Whenever Xavier's 6-foot-9 All-American touched the ball below the free throw line, at least two and sometimes three defenders made sure West would not repeat his 47-point performance Feb. 8 at Cintas Center. He finished with 27.

The strategy worked Saturday for about 10 minutes of Xavier's 73-72 win at University of Dayton Arena. But when West stepped outside and hit two 3-pointers late in the half, it was clear Dayton could not shut him down completely. West's third 3-pointer of the half, a 22-foot buzzer-beater, gave Xavier a 38-32 lead at the break.

"When I realized they were double-teaming me, it threw me off a little bit," said West, who scored five quick points but then went 10 minutes without scoring. "So then I just stepped out and took what they gave me. I was a little surprised they left me so open out there."

West experimented with 3-point shooting early in the season but realized he wasn't a threat. He attempted just four 3s in conference play before Saturday. For him to shoot with such confidence from behind the arc surprised everyone.

"What a performance," said Xavier coach Thad Matta. "He made 3s, he made post moves, he made his free throws."

West made all eight of his free throw attempts, moving into first place on Xavier's all-time free throws made (604) and free throws attempted (802) lists, surpassing Byron Larkin for both records.

SATO GETS BEST OF HALL: Coming off 35- and 34-point performances, Romain Sato returned to normal with 16 points and six rebounds Saturday.

Sato did his best work on the defensive end, however, holding Dayton's leading scorer, Brooks Hall, to six points. In fact, Hall scored only two of those points while Sato was guarding him.

"Brooks Hall is a good player," Sato said. "I play against him all the time, so I know a little about him. I just tried to do the best I can."

Saturday, Sato's best offensive moves came against Hall in the post where Sato played more physical.

"I didn't shoot that well," Sato said. "So I went inside to score."

TWENTY AGAIN: The win improved Xavier's overall record to 20-4 and marks the seventh straight 20-win season for the Musketeers.

"Twenty wins is hard to get," Matta said. "I told the guys in the locker room before the game, somebody is going to be 20-4 (Dayton fell to 19-5). Go play hard."

PRESS(URE) PROBLEMS: Xavier committed 12 turnovers with just 11 assists and seemed bothered at times by Dayton's press. It caused two straight turnovers late in the game that led to four points and gave the Flyers the lead.

"We knew the press was coming," West said, "and they threw us out of rhythm for a minute, but we did a great job recovering."

Dayton's half-court pressure near the end of the game was excellent as well and forced Dedrick Finn into a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock before Lionel Chalmers grabbed the rebound and put in the game-winning basket.

CLINCHED: The Musketeers have earned at least a first-round bye in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com