The Cougars handed the Saints their first loss of the season, one game removed after AU's season-opening rout against Crossroads College (Minn.), 88-64.
Ashford senior guard Daniel Joiner of West Chicago, Ill., led all scorers with 25 points, converting on all eight trips he made to the free throw line. He enjoyed a personal day against St. Xavier last season, recording a career-high 31 points on the road.
Joiner made seven of his 12 shots from the field, including three treys. He was a bright spot for the Saints, who uncharacteristically struggled from the floor. Fellow senior guard Byron Emerson of Rockford, Ill., was the only other Saint in double digits, scoring 12.
St. Xavier's Larry Pikes had a team-high 18 points while senior guard Julian Scott contributed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Saints shot just 28 percent from the field (21-for-75) in the game and were 1-of-11 from behind the three-point arc in the second half.
Down by five at the intermission, Ashford put together a quick rally to open the second half and tied the game at 39-all on a three-point play by Emerson and a pair of free throws by Joiner.
The Cougars countered with a 9-0 run and St. Xavier's lead swelled to 16.
AU cut the deficit to five on a swooping layup by Joiner with two and a half minutes remaining, each Cougars' possession seemingly ended with a trip to the charity stripe.
Foul trouble and shot selection (25 percent from the field) in the second half hampered the Saints. St. Xavier transitioned into the double-bonus mode with over 12 minutes left to play and AU's Emerson and sophomore Matthias Burns of Chicago fouled out.
Ashford will be looking to get back on track tomorrow afternoon against Silver Lake College following the women's basketball's alumni/players scrimmage. Tip is set for 3 p.m. inside Kehl Arena.
