'It gives us momentum.' Takeaways as Xavier holds off Winthrop heading into Big East play

The month of December was not kind to the Xavier men's basketball team at the start, but the Musketeers are as jolly as they've been this holiday season after a 75-59 win over Winthrop in the return of the Skip Prosser Classic Saturday night at Cintas Center.

Xavier was able to salvage its six-game homestand with a 3-3 split, improving to 6-5 on the year before Big East play tips off next week.

GALLERY: Xavier Musketeers win over the Winthrop Eagles at Cintas Center

"It gives us more confidence," Desmond Claude said. "It all goes back to our player meetings. We all locked in and continued to trust coach Miller, trust everybody. It's still working out for us. It gives us momentum into Big East play."

More: Xavier men's basketball notebook: Sean Miller hints at smaller rotation; Ciani's impact

More: Plagued by injuries, Xavier women's hoops adds volleyball player Delaney Hogan to roster

More: 'It feels great for them.' Xavier women's basketball wins 1st game of the season

Xavier survives stagnant start to 2nd-half

Xavier's offense started 2-of-7 from the field in the second half while Winthrop chipped away at the Musketeers' lead. The upset-minded Eagles got within a point (43-42) thanks to the shooting of senior guard Sin'Cere McMahon (12 points on four 3-pointers) off the bench.

Xavier went five-plus minutes without a made field goal in the second half before Claude ignited an 15-5 run with a tough jumper in the lane and a 3-pointer in transition. WKU transfer Dayvion McKnight, fresh off a season-high 20 points against UC, polished off the run with a pair of baskets and Xavier led by double figures at 58-47. Claude finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds and six assists. McKnight added 11 points and finished one assist shy of a double-double.

"We were connected as a group," Quincy Olivari said of Xavier's 32-17 run to end the game. "Definitely more connected than we were in the past. That goes back to our players-only meeting and the expectations we set for ourselves."

Musketeers' defense slows down high-scoring Eagles

Winthrop entered the game averaging more than 80 points over its four-game winning streak. According to KenPom, Winthrop's opposing defenses ranked No. 248 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and Xavier was a step up in class, becoming just the third team (Clemson, Georgia) to hold the Eagles under 70 points this season.

Xavier's defense stepped up during the momentum shift in the second half, forcing seven second-half turnovers, including a pair of shot-clock violations. Winthrop entered Cintas Center ranked 10th in the country in free throw attempts per game (27.2), but Xavier's defense limited the Eagles' opportunities from the charity stripe. Winthrop finished just 7-of-19 at the line and had just five second-chance points in the second half.

Xavier had a 42-30 rebounding advantage, a 38-28 scoring edge in the paint, tallied 12 blocks and didn't allow a fast break point (27-0).

"Very pleased (with the defense). We thought we were playing against a very good offensive team and an experienced group. Anytime you see that top 10 in an offensive category (free throw attempts), drawing fouls, living at the free throw line, that's a concern. I thought our team did a good job," Xavier head coach Sean Miller said. "We have been getting better defensively. Tonight, I thought we built on it. It's something we take a lot of pride in it."

Xavier uses 14-3 run for halftime lead

Starting fast needed to be a theme for Xavier, especially at home. In Saturday's Crosstown Shootout win over UC, the Musketeers didn't trail during the opening 20 minutes. Xavier gave up the first bucket of the game Saturday and played an up-tempo opening four minutes against Winthrop to an 11-11 tie.

After the first media timeout, Xavier made the game's first momentous run with a 14-3 spurt, highlighted by 3-pointers from Gytis Nemeiksa and Olivari, to help Xavier take a 38-32 lead into the intermission.

Olivari, who was named to the Big East Honor Roll last week, connected on his first two triples and led all scorers at the break with 12 points and finished with a team-high 22 on 7-of-13 shooting. He's now scored in double figures in all but one game (at Purdue) this season.

"I can't say enough good things about Quincy (Olivari)," Miller said. "His effort, his shooting, his consistency, his leadership, he's really becoming a great player for us."

Nemeiksa takes advantage

Nemeiksa started the first nine games of his Xavier career before coming off the bench for freshman Lazar Djokovic in the Crosstown Shootout. Djokovic was back in the lineup Saturday, but Nemeiksa had the biggest impact for the Musketeers off the bench, scoring nine points in the first half.

Nemeiksa, who was just granted a second year of eligibility, threw down a breakaway dunk with 2:24 left in regulation to give him his first double-digit outing (11 points) since the win over Bryant on Nov. 24. Nemeiksa also grabbed 9 rebounds.

"It was good to see Gytis play that way. It's been a few weeks," Miller said. "I think that's when he's at his best. My hope is that the role we have for him is the best role for him to continue to develop, which is coming in off the bench . . . He's experienced. Our team craves experience − guys who have been through big games. Gytis gives us some of that off the bench."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Analysis: Xavier Musketeers beat Winthrop ahead of Big East play