GAME NOTES: The 24th-ranked Xavier Musketeers will try to extend their winning streak to six games today, as they host the Fordham Rams in Atlantic 10 Conference play at the Cintas Center. The Musketeers have not only won five games in a row, but they have done so in impressive fashion. During the current win streak, Xavier has won each of its outings by double figures, cracked the century mark twice and posted an average margin of victory of 26.8 ppg. After defeating three straight teams from major conferences, the Musketeers opened A-10 play with an 83-68 triumph over St. Bonaventure on Wednesday. The victory was the team's ninth in 10 home games, as Xavier ran its overall mark to 13-3 on the season. As for Fordham, it also opened conference play on Wednesday, only it suffered a 74-62 setback at Duquesne. It was the second loss in a row and the third in four games by the Rams, who fell to 6-7 overall and 2-4 on the road. With respect to the all-time series, Xavier owns a 15-3 advantage over Fordham and it has won three straight and 14 of the past 15 meetings.

The Rams are scoring the same amount of points as they are allowing this season (67.5 ppg) and they currently have three players averaging in double digits. Bryant Dunston tops the roster in both scoring (15.3 ppg) and rebounding (8.5 rpg) and he has also blocked a team-high 40 shots. Marcus Stout is next in line with 14.1 ppg and he also has a team-best 17 steals to his name. Brenton Butler rounds out the double-digit scorers with 11.9 ppg. In the team's last game, Fordham was dominated on the boards, 47-35, and that includes a 22-10 margin on the offensive glass. The Rams also turned the ball over 17 times, while forcing just 10 miscues. Sebastian Greene paced the squad in defeat with a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Dunston logged his own double- double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Butler had 17 points off the bench.

The Musketeers are one of the most balanced teams around, as they have six players averaging in double figures at the moment. Drew Lavender is the team's most versatile player and he is a big reason why Xavier has been able to average a healthy 81.1 ppg. For the season, Lavender, who is shooting 92.9 percent at the foul line, leads the team in scoring (12.5 ppg), assists (5.1 apg) and steals (23). B.J. Raymond nips at his heels with 12.3 ppg and he is knocking down 47.3 percent of his tries from long distance. C.J. Anderson adds 11.8 ppg and 6.0 rpg to the mix, while Derrick Brown contributes 11.2 ppg and a team-high 6.7 rpg. Stanley Burrell puts forth 11.1 ppg and 3.4 apg, and Josh Duncan rounds out the rotation with 10.1 ppg. In the squad's previous contest, Anderson registered a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead Xavier past St. Bonaventure. Raymond also tallied 21 points and he went 5- of-10 from long range. The Musketeers hit on 50.0 percent of their attempts from the field and 12-of-27 from behind the arc in the win.

Xavier is one of the hottest teams around right now and its momentum and balance should carry it past Fordham today.