Depleted Musketeers suffer their first loss
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}As it turns out, an upset is a lot easier ranked team plays without three of its top four scorers.
Eighth-ranked Xavier played without a handful of its top players because of suspensions, clearing the way for Oral Roberts to record a 64-42 victory and deal the Musketeers their first loss of the season.
A fight at the end of Xavier's last game, a December 10 win against Cincinnati, led to the suspension of four players. Included in that group are senior Tu Holloway and junior Mark Lyons, who are the Musketeers' top two leading scorers by far. They have combined to average 35 points a game this season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Holloway was given a one-game ban, while Lyons will sit for two games. Freshman Dezmine Wells and sophomore Landen Amos were handed four-game sentences.
Without them on the floor, Travis Taylor led Xavier (8-1) with 11 points, and Dee Davis added 10.
Dominique Morrison posted 19 points to lead the Golden Eagles (8-4), who were coming off Thursday's six-point loss at Gonzaga.