LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla, (AP) Trevon Bluiett scored 15 points, J.P. Macura added 14, and No. 23 Xavier beat Alabama 64-45 in the first round of the AdvoCare Invitational on Thursday.
Macura helped the Musketeers (5-0) overcome an early first-half deficit, while Bluiett was part of a second-half surge that gave Xavier a comfortable advantage.
Shannon Hale and Justin Coleman had 10 points each for Alabama (2-2). Dazon Ingram added six points and nine rebounds.
Consecutive long-range jumpers by Myles Davis and Bluiett put Xavier ahead 36-28 early in the second half.
Bluiett had a steal and basket before another 3-pointer by Davis, and James Farr's layup made it 43-28 with 13 minutes to play.
Xavier made 8 of its first 13 second-half shots after shooting just 24.1 percent during the opening half.
Jalen Reynolds' basket extended the lead to 60-37 with 4 minutes left. He had 10 points.
Macura came off the bench and had 11 points as Xavier rallied from an early seven point hole to go up 27-24 at halftime. He entered averaging 10.8 points, the team's third-best average.
Hale had all his points in the first half, including a 3 in the final seconds.
Both teams struggled offensively during the first 20 minutes.
The Crimson Tide made 3 of 15 from 3-point range, and were 10 for 29 overall. Xavier made 7 of 29 shots, including seven straight misses to start the game.
Alabama guard Retin Obasohan, averaging 14 points, was held scoreless in the first half and finished with two points,
TIP-INS
Xavier: The Musketeers are 17-5 since 2008 against current SEC opponents, including 3-0 in games with Alabama.
Alabama: The Crimson Tide's last victory over a ranked opponent on a neutral court came Nov. 29, 2009, a 68-66 win over then No. 15 Michigan at the Old Spice Classic.
UP NEXT
Xavier: Advances to Friday's semifinals and will go against the winner off No. 20 Wichita State and USC.
Alabama: Will play the loser of No. 20 Wichita State-USC in Friday's consolation round.
