Those 12 NBA scouts eager to see David West could have showed up at halftime and not missed a thing.
West watched most of the first half from the bench because of foul trouble, then made up for lost time to end with 24 points as No. 21 Xavier beat visiting Ball State 87-58 on Friday night.
A well-rested West repeatedly drove to the basket for dunks and layups as the Musketeers (6-2) blew open the game with a 23-6 run at the start of the second half.
West was held to four points in the first half. As soon as he got back on the floor, Ball State (5-4) was done.
“He’s not a guy you’re going to stop,” Ball State coach Tim Buckley said.
The 6-foot-9-inch power forward made 10-of-11 shots from the field. He also had nine rebounds and blocked a shot in only 20 minutes on the court.
Career over
Wyoming senior forward Marc Bailey, averaging 15.6 points a game and 4.3 rebounds, will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right knee, ending his career with the Cowboys.
An examination Friday revealed the 6-foot-5-inch senior tore the anterior cruciate ligament when he was fouled Thursday night in a 77-63 win.
Guard dropped
Auburn freshman guard Steve Leven, the Tigers’ top recruit but who never played in a game before being indefinitely suspended for rules violations, has been dismissed from the team.
RESULTS, FRIDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Florida A&M 66 at #5 Oregon 107
Luke Ridnour scored 19 points and Luke Jackson had 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Ducks (7-1) romped.
Ball State 58 at #21 Xavier 87
David West picked up 2 quick fouls but still finished with a season-high 24 points for the Musketeers (6-2).
Belmont 65 at Valparaiso 83
Raitis Grafs scored 19 points and Stalin Ortiz added 13 to lead the Crusaders (4-4) past the Bruins (3-6).
Bucknell 55 at Penn State 59
Sharif Chambliss scored 10 of his game-high 15 points in the 2nd half for the Nittany Lions (2-6).
Eastern Illinois at Hawaii, late
The Panthers (3-5) end a 10-day break for final exams with a game against the Rainbow Warriors (2-1).
