Box Score

CINCINNATI - Lionel Chalmers scored 20 points and Xavier shut down one of the nation's top scorers Monday to win the Dell™ Black Coaches Association Classic title game, 76-66 over Oakland.

		Xavier's Lionel Chalmers (0) was named tournament MVP after a 20-point performance in the championship game of the Dell™ BCA Classic.

Xavier (3-0) got a dominating performance from its front line and important contributions from two freshmen as it overcame a deep shooting slump on its home court.

The Musketeers shut down the top scoring threat in the eight-team tournament. Mike Helms, who set a tournament record with 31 points in an opening-round win and followed with 27 the next day, was only 6-of-25 from the field for 14 points.

Oakland (2-1) relies on Helms, one of five returning starters from a Mid-Continent team that went 17-11 last season. The senior guard averaged 26.9 points last year.

Freshman Justin Doellman added 13 points for Xavier, and Anthony Myles had 13 rebounds as the Musketeers dominated the boards 56-36. The upfront domination helped Xavier overcome 34 percent shooting from the field.

Neither Helms nor Xavier's Romain Sato could made much of an impact against man-to-man defenses geared to keep the ball out of their hands. Sato had four shots blocked, shot an airball and was 1-of-12 from the field with 11 points.

The Musketeers got good shots near the basket at the outset, but couldn't get them to roll in. Xavier opened in a 3-for-19 slump, allowing Oakland to open an early 10-point lead.

Xavier relied on its defense and rebounding to stay close. Will Caudle had a pair of free throws, a follow-up basket and another score that tied it at 19.

The lead changed hands five times after that, with neither team ahead by more than four points. Helms' fastbreak layup left it tied at 35 at halftime.

The second half followed the same pattern. Xavier missed its first four shots -- Sato's first attempt was swatted away.

Two freshmen helped Xavier take control. Doellman hit a 3-pointer and had a three-point play, and Justin Cage scored off a fastbreak during a 13-point spurt that put Xavier ahead to stay.

Chalmers hit a 3-pointer and fed Keith Jackson for an emphatic fastbreak dunk that pushed the lead to 65-47 with 7:38 left. Helms went to the bench after shooting a long airball during Xavier's decisive surge.

Rawle Marshall scored 10 points in a late surge that cut the lead to 72-66 with 54 seconds to go, but Xavier hit free throws to hold on.