AMHERST, Mass., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Led by Drew Lavender's 19 points and nine rebounds Sunday, No. 22 Xavier downed Massachusetts 77-65.
The game was tight for the first seven minutes before Xavier opened some breathing room with a 12-1 run which led to a 21-10 Xavier lead with 9:20 remaining in the first half.
UMass pulled within 27-20 before a 7-0 spurt gave Xavier a 34-23 lead at the break.
Its lead swelled to 49-31 with just under 16 minutes remaining and UMass could not answer.
Derrick Brown scored 14 points and C.J. Anderson 13 for the Musketeers (17-4, 5-1 Atlantic 10), who have won three straight and nine of their last 10 contests.
Massachusetts was led by Etienne Brower's 22 points and four rebounds.
Gary Forbes had 16 points and five rebounds while Chris Lowe added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Minutemen (13-6, 2-3), who have dropped two straight and four of six.
