Xavier leads throughout, tops Linn-Mar, 64-48

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Xavier was both unselfish and balanced in a 64-48 Mississippi Valley Conference boys' basketball victory over Linn-Mar on Friday at Ron Thillen Gymnasium.

The Saints (9-10 overall, 7-7 MVC) dished out 18 assists, and placed four — and very nearly all five — starters in double figures.

Nolan Butkowski paced the winners with 15 points. Max Techau registered 14 points and six rebounds. Jackson Joens chipped in 13 points, Matt Mims posted 10 points and six assists, and Quinn Schulte tacked on nine points.

Xavier led throughout, building a 12-5 advantage after one quarter, and extending it to 26-13 on Mims' putback at the 1:55 mark of the second period.

Linn-Mar (7-11, 5-10) pulled within 26-20 at halftime, but that's as close as the Lions got. Techau's three-point play gave the Saints their largest lead at 62-42.

Tyler Voves led the Lions with 13 points. Trey Hutcheson added 12 points and six rebounds.

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER 64, LINN-MAR 48

At C.R. Xavier

LINN-MAR (48): Reese Phillips 4-5 0-0 9, Tyler Voves 5-9 2-5 13, Nolan Ruff 2-3 0-0 4, Trey Hutcheson 4-14 4-4 12, Nate Annis 0-1 0-0 0, Jacob Robertson 0-3 0-0 0, Jack Gertsen 0-1 0-0 0, Dylan Hand 2-3 0-0 6, Cole Martin 0-0 1-2 1, Kirby Kerr 1-1 0-0 2, Brennan McGaffe 0-0 1-2 1, Aaron Pistulka 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-40 8-13 48.

C.R. XAVIER (64): Matt Mims 4-13 0-0 10, Nolan Butkowski 5-9 2-2 15, Jackson Joens 5-6 0-0 13, Quinn Schulte 4-7 0-0 9, Max Techau 4-8 6-9 14, Gabe Lux 0-2 0-0 0, Bryce Schulte 0-0 1-2 1, Max Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Spencer Dempewolf 0-0 2-2 2, Ryan Keating 0-0 0-0 0, Beau Van Berkum 0-0 0-0 0, Matt Ropp 0-0 0-0 0, Jacob Hines 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-45 11-15 64.

Halftime: Xavier 26, Linn-Mar 20. 3-point goals: Linn-Mar 4-11 (Phillips 1-1, Voves 1-2, Hutcheson 0-3, Robertson 0-2, Hand 2-3), Xavier 9-19 (Mims 2-6, Butkowski 3-5, Joens 3-4, Q.Schulte 1-2, Techau 0-1, Lux 0-1). Team fouls: Linn-Mar 13, Xavier 16. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: Linn-Mar 22 (Hutcheson 6), Xavier 28 (Techau 6). Assists: Linn-Mar 7 (Ruff, Hutcheson 2), Xavier 18 (Mims 6). Steals: Linn-Mar 6 (six with 1), Xavier 6 (Q.Schulte 3). Turnovers: Linn-Mar 11, Xavier 8.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com