Fourth-quarter run helps Xavier boys down Washington

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Washington appeared poised to announce its arrival as an MVC Valley Division threat, but a salty group from Xavier put that on hold.

The Saints began the fourth quarter with a 15-0 ambush and overcame a seven-point deficit to down Washington, 63-58, in a boys' basketball game last night at Ron Thillen Gymnasium.

'They rose to the occasion,' Xavier Coach Ryan Luehrsmann said. 'We challenged them pretty hard there at halftime and at the end of the third quarter. In this game, if we're going to be good, we're going to have to get stops on the defensive end.'

Those stops allowed Xavier (5-3, 2-2 MVC) to hold Washington without a basket for the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. The Warriors missed the front end of a one-and-one three times as the Saints mounted its charge.

Adam McDermott led all scorers with 21 points, and his 3-pointer with 4:40 left gave Xavier the lead for good at 47-46. Fellow junior Calvin Winker added 16 points.

'Defense gets you offensive plays,' Winker said. 'Everything starts on the defensive end. Our team did a great job, they're (Washington) a great team.'

Washington started the game with a 9-2 surge, and led by three after a quarter. The Warriors outscored Xavier 21-20 during a crisp second quarter, and extended the lead to seven at the end of three before the Saints' comeback. Junior Maurice Arrington led Washington (2-5, 2-3 MVC) with 12 points and eight rebounds, his sixth straight game scoring in double figures. Jake Kramer chipped in 11.

If not for an overtime defeat to one-loss Kennedy and last night's letdown, the Warriors might be riding a four-game win streak. Second-year Coach Adam Sanchez is tasked with helping his improved team - just two years removed from an 0-21 season - learn how to finish games in a strong way.

'It's a process,' Sanchez said.For Xavier, the win moves them past Washington for third place in the Valley Division.

'We're going to go straight up now,' Winker said. 'We're not going back.'

Xavier hosts Kennedy on Tuesday, while Washington welcomes Waterloo West. 

AT C.R. XAVIER

C.R. WASHINGTON (58): Razadon Taylor 2 0-1 4, Maurice Arrington 5 2-2 12, Jake Kramer 4 2-3 11, Jared Printy 2 1-2 6, Reid Snitker 3 1-2 7, Drew Hoeger 0 0-0 0, Keegan Moore 2 1-2 5, C.J. Nelson 2 0-0 6, Julian Good-Jones 1 0-0 2, Montaves Anderson 2 1-3 5. Totals 23 8-15 58.

C.R. XAVIER (63): Adam McDermott 3 12-16 21, Calvin Winker 5 5-8 16, Matt Nelson 3 2-2 8, Andrew Bisenius 2 2-3 7, Connor Ramlo 2 1-4 5, Frank Hill 0 0-0 0, Mitchell Burger 1 3-4 6, Matt Downey 0 0-0 0, Joe Welch 0 0-0 0. Totals 16 25-37 63.

Halftime – Washington 34, Xavier 30. 3-point goals – Washington 4 (Nelson 2, Kramer 1, Printy 1), Xavier 6 (McDermott 3, Winker 1, Bisenius 1, Burger 1). Rebounds – Washington 21 (Arrington 8), Xavier 19 (McDermott 5). Total fouls – Washington 32, Xavier 16. Fouled out – Anderson, Moore. Turnovers – Washington 13, Xavier 13.