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HOBBS, N.M. -- The University of the Southwest men's basketball team put on a strong offensive showing but fell short against Xavier (LA), 90–81, in a fast-paced matchup Saturday afternoon at the Jack & Mabel Maddox Student Life Center. 

Southwest came out firing in the first half, hitting nine three-pointers and taking a 37–35 lead into the break. The Mustangs shot an impressive 64.3% from beyond the arc in the opening period, with Kevin Boone and Isaac Warhurst leading the charge. Boone finished with a team-high 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including four triples, while Warhurst added 21 points and four three-pointers.

Jalen Williams orchestrated the offense with 11 points and seven assists, and Donovan Holcombe chipped in nine points and five rebounds. Jayvian Lawson contributed eight points, and Rylan Laboca provided energy off the bench with key rebounds and a late layup.

Despite Southwest's hot shooting, 15-of-26 from three-point range (57.7%),  turnovers proved costly. The Mustangs committed 24 turnovers, leading to 27 Xavier points. Xavier countered with a dominant second half, shooting 65.6% from the field and scoring 54 points in the paint compared to Southwest's 26.

The game featured 10 ties and eight lead changes, with Southwest holding its largest lead at six points midway through the first half. Xavier pulled away late behind Nasir DeGruy's 17 points and Jamal Gibson's inside presence.

Southwest (4–7, 1–4) will look to bounce back in its next conference matchup on the road next week.

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