Xavier Advances to Paradise Jam Championship Game

ST. THOMAS, V.I. - In dramatic fashion and with some Tu Holloway fireworks, Xavier defeated Seton Hall in the second round of the Paradise Jam 57-52. With Xavier holding a 52-49 lead with 50 seconds remaining, Jamal Jackson hit a three-pointer for Seton Hall to tie the game. Holloway responded by hitting a fade-away three-pointer from the left baseline with 17 seconds remaining to put Xavier ahead for good. Kenny Frease corralled a Seton Hall miss and made both free throws to seal the victory.

Holloway led Xavier with a career-high 31points making 9-of-16 (56.3 percent) field goals and sinking 10-of-13 (76.9 percent) from the free throw line. This marks the fourth consecutive game this season and fifth game dating back to last season in which Holloway scored over 20 points. Holloway reached the 20-point mark with a floater from the right wing with 10:25 remaining in the second half.

Jamel McLean grabbed 12 boards and added four points. This marks the third consecutive game in which McLean has hauled in double-digit rebounds. Frease and Mark Lyons both added eight points for Xavier, who improves to 4-0 on the season.

On the strength of a strong first-half defense, Xavier led by ten points at the break. Seton Hall went on an 8-0 run starting at the 6:44 mark in the second half. Two free-throws off of a Dante Jackson foul, his fifth of the game, cut the lead to one point, 44-43. On the ensuing possession, Lyons drained a long range three from the top of the key and Holloway followed with a jumper to push the lead back to six. Another spurt from Seton Hall set up the exciting finish.

The Musketeers blanketed Seton Hall's shooters and held them to 19-of-56 shooting (33.9 percent) for the game. From beyond the arc, Seton Hall shot only 5-of-20 for 25 percent.

In the first half of action, Xavier's defense was stifling for Seton Hall. Over the final 8:32 of the half, Xavier held the Pirates to two points and held a lead of 28-18. The Pirates shot 21.2 percent (7-of-33) from the floor, 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from three-point range. Over the last 8:19 of the half, the Musketeers held the pirates to two points. Xavier was led by Holloway with 12 points (4-for-8) and McLean with nine rebounds at halftime. Frease contributed six points and four boards during the half.

Xavier will face Old Dominion, who beat Clemson 61-60, in the championship game. This will mark the second time that Xavier has played for the championship of the Paradise Jam. In the 2006 finale, Xavier lost 63-56 to then No. 8-Alabama.

Xavier will wrap up their three-game trip to St. Thomas for the Paradise Jam, held at the University of the Virgin Islands, when they face Old Dominion on Monday, November 22. Tip-off is set for 8:20 ET and the game can be seen on Fox Sports Net. The local alternate channels carrying the national broadcast will be announced Monday on foxsportsohio.com.