Xavier 79, Butler 68: Semaj Christon scored 20 points and dished out eight assists as the Musketeers pulled away late to earn a Big East home win over the Bulldogs.

Matt Stainbrook had 17 points and seven boards for Xavier (12-3, 2-0), which hit 20-of-24 from the free-throw line. Justin Martin finished with 13 points and seven rebounds while Dee Davis added 12 points.

Khyle Marshall paced Butler (10-4, 0-2) with 14 points while Kellen Dunham added 11 points. Elijah Brown contributed 10 points off the bench and Andrew Chrabascz added nine points in a reserve role.

The first half was nip-and-tuck all the way, with Butler's biggest lead being five – the same advantage it enjoyed at the break on Kameron Woods' last-second dunk. The second half was much of the same, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage.

The game was tied at 64 with 6:13 to play when the Musketeers went on a 7-1 run to open up a six-point lead. Alex Barlow hit a 3-pointer to cut it to three with 2:27 left, but that was the last time Butler would score as Xavier scored the game's final eight points to win going away.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Bulldogs went 6-of-17 from 3-point range and missed eight of its 24 free throws. … The Musketeers won the rebound battle 33-30. … Xavier got eight points from five bench players, led by Myles Davis' six points.