Xavier sets pace, holds off Baylor

J.P. Macura scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half as Xavier surged ahead to stay, and the 21st-ranked Musketeers sent No. 16 Baylor to its first loss of the season, 76-63 on Tuesday night in Cincinnati.

The Musketeers (6-1) recovered from their first loss — against Arizona State — by controlling the boards and putting together decisive runs in each half. They never trailed after an opening 21-8 spurt.

Kaiser Gates also had 19 points for Xavier, including a 3-pointer that blunted the Bears’ final comeback attempt.

Baylor (5-1) was riding momentum from the championship of Hall of Fame Classic, which featured wins over Wisconsin and Creighton. The Bears beat Wisconsin despite going the final 8 minutes without a field goal, then rallied from a 12-point deficit in the second half to beat Creighton.

The Bears fell behind by 14 in the second half against Xavier but couldn’t recover this time. Terry Maston led Baylor with 15, all in the first half.

Xavier straight has won 34 nonconference home games, with the last loss 56-55 to Wofford on Dec. 22, 2012. The Musketeers are 232-35 all-time at the Cintas Center.

UCLA’s three suspended players are working out on their own while they await a final decision on whether they’ll be allowed to play for the Bruins this season.

Coach Steve Alford said he doesn’t think “we’re talking about months” regarding the timetable to decide the fate of freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Jalen Hill and Cody Riley, all of whom were detained for shoplifting in China earlier this month.

“It’s really on the school,” Alford said. “It’s in that process now. When that process ends, I’m sure the administration will bring me in.”

The players are subject to review for violating the university’s Student Conduct Code, which includes a section on theft.

As part of their indefinite suspensions, the players aren’t allowed to suit up, practice or travel with the Bruins, who are 5-1 and dropped out of the Top 25 this week. AP