Duquesne at Xavier 1/28/10 - LIVE GAMEDAY THREAD

By Colin Dunlap | 4:27 p.m. Thursday

Have no idea what this means, but I just got out of the shower and was met by blood-curdling screams from the hallway of my hotel. I am staying at the Marriott Cincinnati Northeast, a decent place out by Kings Island, so it isn't the type of place you expect to hear, well, blood curdling screams. 

I opened the door and there were two cops dragging a middle-aged women down the hallway in handcuffs. She was screaming about "Jesus, what am I going to do" and "he hit me, I didn't hit him" and "you guys are just idiots."

Don't know what that means in terms of an omen in the game between Xavier and Duquesne tonight, but it must mean something.

You figure it out.

Also, when not witnessing arrests, below is a photo of the view of how I spent the large part of my day -- driving "acrost A-hia."

UPDATE 4:39 p.m.: I can only work under the assumption that the two police cars, the fire truck and the ambulance (all pictured below) just outside my hotel room are the result of the aformentioned incident. The screaming woman summoned for help from Jesus and got public safety instead. I've got to get out of here and down to the gym. Catch you in a little while. Feel free to post comments in the meantime.

5:35 p.m.: Post-Gazette columnist Gene Collier speaks to Duquesne athletic director about the recent moves within the athletic department:

         >  CLICK HERE FOR STORY

6:06 p.m.: It is one of those Coaches Vs. Cancer things tonight...the coaches will have on athletic shoes. Just thought I would pass that along. For some reason, when I think of the coaches wearing those shoes, I always think about this incident:

         > LINK

6:23 p.m.: It is 6:23. That makes it more than a half-hour before tip off. XU has more students in the gym right now than (a half-hour before the game starts) than Duquesne has had for any of its home games this season -- just sayin'.

6:32 p.m.: During the warmups, over the loudspeaker, XU plays that 'New York' rap song. My thought: the only A10 team that should play it is Fordham. Big lights inspire every team, but, I mean, c'mon -- just one team plays in the real "concrete jungle."

6:40 p.m.: Went to get coffee at the refreshment stand. Here is what the Palumbo needs to make the crowd "happier":

7:07 p.m.: Tip off. Timmy Higgins on the game. Big time officiating crew.

7:10 p.m.: Into the first time out, it is 6-2 Xavier. The game is not going up and down the way the Dukes need it to in order to win.

7:13 p.m.: Interesting that Saunders is guarding Kenny Frease and Everhart has not gone to Big Mike yet. Dukes down 10-2 with 13:35 left before the half.

7:19 p.m.: Saunders has two fouls -- which could be the biggest factor in this game. Dukes down, 14-6 with 12:03 before the half. Big Mike makes a visit to the floor.

7:27 p.m.: Think Jordan Crawford can jump a bit. He just had a breakaway dunk after the Dukes got very, very lazy. 21-10 now, XU. If the Dukes don't start shooting it from deep (they are 1 for 7) this one is going to get away from them ... fast.

7:34 p.m.: Frease just hit a fall away from about 13 feet. Duquesne does not have a guy that size who can do that -- a guy in this league who can make shots like that changes the entire scope of a game. By the way, I have an early deadline tonight, so posts will be light -- just a warning. That said, your comments are very appreciated and need to carry this thing.

7:48 p.m.: The Theis is right...David Theis in the game. X running away with it. 41-21 with 58 seconds left before half. Simply put: Xavier is a much better team with more cogs.

8 p.m.: 43-23 Xavier at the half. Dukes are 9 for 26 from the field and 1 for 10 from deep....there's your story. Can't shoot-can't win.

8:12 p.m.: Dukes are playing hard in this second half, but still down 47-30. With how big and strong XU is, it would seem Duquesne's fate might be sealed as solidly as that woman earlier today, who had those cuffs slapped on.

8:23 p.m.: 59-32...seems to be game, set, match with 12:55 left. By the way, John Cahill and Paddy Driscoll are the other two officials on this game, I think I neglected to mention that. A question: Does Cahill work every single night? Seriously?

8:32 p.m.: There are three WPIAL players in the game right now...Duty, Theis and Brian Walsh from Xavier -- who went to Moon.

8:39 p.m.: Have to start writing....take over for awhile. Dukes down 72-42 with 7:18 left.

9:19 p.m.: Early game story:

By Colin Dunlap , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

CINCINNATI -- Xavier had an easy time with Duquesne tonight, cruising past the Dukes, 86-50, in an Atlantic 10 Conference game at the Cintas Center.

Xavier (14-6, 6-1) looked to have an advantage at every position, from the top starter to deep down the bench, as the Musketeers were able to put it on cruise control in the second half after grabbing control early.

Xavier was led by Jordan Crawford and Jason Love, who each had 17 points.

The Dukes (10-10, 1-5) were led by Melquan Bolding's 14.

Xavier put this game away in the first half, roaring to a 43-23 halftime lead.

The Dukes were icy in the first half, shooting 9 for 26 from the field and, compounding that problem was a 1 for 10 effort from 3-point range.