By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

With the inconsistency that the Xavier University men's basketball team has shown through 10 games, there are a lot of things the Musketeers need right now.

A winning streak might be the most paramount before beginning Atlantic 10 Conference play Jan. 11. Xavier (6-4) has not won consecutive games since opening with three straight wins in the Dell BCA Classic at Cintas Center Nov. 15-17.

"We need a nice win streak," senior guard Lionel Chalmers said. "That's what's missing right now ...We have to deal with those four losses that we have and just get going."

Two days after beating Elon University, Xavier goes for a second straight win at 7:30 tonight against Morehead State at Cintas Center. The final game of a three-game home stretch will come Saturday against Alabama.

"(A win) would give us a big confidence boost going into play Alabama Saturday," point guard Dedrick Finn said. "It would give us a little streak and something to feed off of."

Even when they've won, the Musketeers have let teams stay in the game, and been forced to make key second-half plays. When the Muskies can't execute late, they lose.

"So far in each game, we've been the reactor instead of forcing the action," Finn said. "We have to make the team feed off our energy and the way we play. Being aggressive. Attacking. Coming out ready to play."

Xavier exhibited those traits in the second half against Elon Sunday, as they built a 20-point lead. It was one of the rare times in the last month that Xavier dictated tempo.

"That's what it's all about," Xavier coach Thad Matta said. "That's why you practice it, to try to carry it over."

Except that Xavier's practice performance, namely its long-range shooting, has translated to marginal game success. Overall, the Musketeers have made 33.2 percent of their 3-point attempts, which are essential to the team's success.

Xavier vs. Morehead State

Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. today, Cintas Center (10,250).

Records: XU (6-4), MS (4-5).

Radio: WCKY-AM (1530).

TV: Fox Sports Net Ohio.

Series: XU leads 4-3.

Line: XU by 15

XAVIER

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Anthony Myles	Sr.	6-9	8.8
Justin Doellman	Fr.	6-9	5.6
Lionel Chalmers	Sr.	5-0	13.4
Romain Sato	Sr.	6-5	15.1
Dedrick Finn	So.	6-1	10.1

Coach: Thad Matta (58-16, third year; 82-24 overall)

MOREHEAD STATE

Player	Yr.	Ht.	PPG
Cory Burns	So.	6-8	2.5
Chad McKnight	Jr.	6-7	5.3
Chez Marks	Sr.	6-3	20.0
Quinton Smith	So.	5-11	6.4
Ricky Minard	Sr.	6-4	21.0

Coach: Kyle Macy (79-97, seventh year; same overall)