The Musketeers' first exhibition game Saturday at Cintas Center demonstrated that the depth isn't quite developed, but it's showing potential.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Saturday's game

Xavier defeated California (Pa.) University 77-60 in front of 5,514, but the Musketeers' lead was built behind the strength of their starters, who dominated for a total of eight minutes.

In the first four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half, Xavier outscored California 23-2. Xavier's reserve players, mostly freshmen and sophomores expected to play integral roles, didn't fare nearly as well, particularly on defense. California scored easy baskets in each half.

"In both cases, we had some of our younger players in, with them not completely understanding just how fast that ball moves up and down that court," Miller said. "Because of that, we gave up a couple easy shots in transition."

Miller doesn't seem to have many worries with the four veterans who are healthy. Brian Thornton was active down low. Justin Cage led the team with 14 points and played tight defense on California's best player, Drew Schifino. Keith Jackson made the hustle plays such as blocks, steals and rebounds that he normally makes in practice.

And Justin Doellman played like a true big man, grabbing 11 rebounds. But six turnovers detracted from an otherwise solid performance.

As expected, it's the younger players who have the most work to do between now and the Nov. 19 season opener.

Sophomore point guard Dupree Lucas played well as the starter, Miller said, but his backup, freshman Churchill Odia, struggled at times because of his inexperience. He finished the second half strong, though, and recorded five assists with no turnovers.

Like Odia, Miller said, freshman shooting guard Stanley Burrell wasn't perfect, but the coach liked Burrell's aggressive style that meshes well with this team.

"I think we'll be a team that at times will be fun to watch, because we have numerous people who can pass and make shots," Miller said.

It's going to take more time for that to become a consistent reality, Cage said, because the gap between the veterans and the newcomers is still apparent.

"The second five coming in, they're all pretty young," Cage said. "I think it's just going to take time for them to get used to it and not be afraid to make a mistake."

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com

California	M	FG	Att	FT	Att	R	A	F	TO	TP
Mesnager	33	4	7	2	2	4	0	3	1	10
Ruffin	19	0	3	0	0	5	0	3	2	0
Eisentrout	19	0	3	0	0	1	1	2	2	0
Schifino	27	4	18	5	7	2	1	2	4	13
Bray	38	7	17	5	6	3	5	4	4	23
Houston	30	3	7	0	0	9	0	1	1	6
Beyl	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Zivanovic	17	1	3	0	0	1	1	1	0	2
Smelkinson	14	1	2	2	2	1	0	1	1	4
Rahman	1	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	2
Yonkers	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total	200	21	61	14	17	34	8	18	15	60

Team rebounds - 6.

Xavier	M	FG	Att	FT	Att	R	A	F	TO	TP
Thornton	26	3	5	4	4	3	3	3	2	10
Cage	26	4	4	5	6	6	1	1	1	14
Doellman	26	4	10	0	0	11	2	0	6	11
Lucas	20	3	7	2	3	3	1	1	1	9
Jackson	19	3	7	0	0	5	1	3	1	7
Duncan	14	3	7	0	0	4	0	1	2	7
Odia	20	1	6	0	0	1	5	1	0	2
Rice	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Christiansen	4	0	3	0	0	1	0	1	0	0
Cole	12	3	5	1	2	6	0	1	1	7
Burrell	26	3	12	0	1	3	3	0	1	6
Waymire	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Caudle	5	1	1	2	2	1	0	2	0	4
Total	200	28	67	14	18	49	16	14	15	77

Team rebounds - 5.

California	28	32	-60
Xavier	35	42	-77

3-pointers - California 4-13 (Eisentrout 0-2, Schifino 0-2, Bray 4-8, Smelkinson 0-1), Xavier 7-21 (Cage 1-1, Doellman 3-5, Lucas 1-3, Jackson 1-4, Duncan 1-3, Odia 0-3, Christiansen 0-1, Burrell 0-1). Technicals - Xavier (Cole). Att. - 5,514.

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