Second-half fireworks propel Xavier past Providence: 'Our guys are believing'

PROVIDENCE – A little fun goes a long way and it had been a while since Xavier had as much fun on a basketball court as it did Saturday. 

Xavier's second-half performance was its best half of basketball this season, turning a six-point halftime deficit into a runaway win at Providence, 75-61. 

There were no impassioned speeches or broken whiteboards at intermission. Xavier head coach Travis Steele preached positivity to his team and it paid off with a season-high 49 points on 73 percent shooting in the second half and a defensive effort that left the first-year head coach with an ear-to-ear grin that might last well into Sunday. 

"I told our guys I was happy with where we were. We were down by six points on the road," said Steele. "We didn't play real well in the first half. I was really positive with those guys. I said, 'Hey, listen, I think we can win this game – there's no question – if we clean up a few areas." 

On the first possession of the second half with Providence leading 32-26, Xavier point guard Quentin Goodin got his pocket picked for Xavier's 10th turnover of the game. 

Seconds after that, Goodin, determined to right his wrong, stole it right back and went the distance for a transition bucket. 

Oddly enough, that turnover ended up spelling a 10-0 run that never faded and turned into the most complete half of basketball the Musketeers have played all season.

"Personally, I came out with the wrong mindset and I felt like I needed to make it up on defense so I tried to pick up my energy and my effort and just focus all my mindset on defense and I feel like that's what carried us," said Goodin, who had 12 of his 13 points and four of his game-high seven assists in the second half. 

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In the second half, Goodin, Paul Scruggs, Ryan Welage and Naji Marshall were knocking down shots while Tyrique Jones and Zach Hankins controlled the real estate in the paint with dunk after dunk in a performance that produced smiles all the way around Xavier's roster. 

"That was as good a half as we've played," said Steele. "Our guys played with a lot of confidence. It's amazing what one win can do for you. We went through a six-game losing streak where you try to keep your guys motivated every day. You want them to see a light at the end of the tunnel, but at the same time, you gotta win to kind of push it over the top. I think our guys are believing. They're seeing the carryover from practice to the games right now. We've got a long ways to go. I just want to continue to see our team grow." 

Jones finished with a game-high 19 points and 12 rebounds. Marshall had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Hankins had 13 points and six rebounds and Scruggs had six points and five assists. 

"You think about like Tyrique Jones goes for 19 and 12, he's got his whole family here kind of back home for him in a lot of ways," said Steele. "He was a man among men tonight. Our team took on his personality. 

"Q, I thought had complete control of the game for the most part. He made some terrific plays, made guys better, got to where he wanted on the floor. 

"Paul's fearless. He had some turnovers there in the first half and then he got in foul trouble, but he battled. 

"Naji battled. Elias (Harden) gave us a great lift off the bench, so did Ryan Welage. Zach Hankins was good around the rim. We got contributions from everybody on our team and that's what you need in the Big East." 

It was a rare occasion where Xavier had everyone on the same page and the result was a very quiet Dunkin' Donuts Center. 

"I thought we were playing at the Vatican it was so quiet," said Providence head coach Ed Cooley. "Normally our crowd is one of the best in the country and they never had a chance." 

The Musketeers outscored Providence 49-29 in the second half. 

Xavier still had 18 turnovers and more than a few of those were a product of Providence going full-court press when the game got out of hand in the second half, but Xavier still shot 59 percent from the field and 57 percent from three. 

Xavier keeps the show on the road next Wednesday at Seton Hall. 

"We just hyped to get a (win)," said Marshall. "After six (losses) in a row it just feels good to get back on the winning side. Now that game's over it's time to get back to practice and prepare for the next game."