CINCINNATI (AP) -- James Farr had a career-high 24 points as part of his fourth double-double of the season, and No. 5 Xavier bounced back from its first home loss of the season by beating Seton Hall 84-76 on Saturday.
Farr had his finest game all-around. The senior forward had 15 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and a career-high four assists. His seven field goals matched his career high, and he went 10 of 11 on free throws.
Xavier (17-2, 5-2 Big East) blew open a tight game with a 21-7 spurt in the second half led by Farr and Trevon Bluiett, who scored all of his 15 points in the half. Bluiett played only 10 minutes in the first half because he had two fouls.
The Musketeers were coming off an 81-72 loss to Georgetown on Tuesday, their first home defeat of the season. Their front line got dominated in that one, but reasserted itself against Seton Hall (13-6, 3-4) in the second half and finished with a 46-42 edge in rebounds.
Desi Rodriguez led the Pirates with a career-high 21 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Khadeen Carrington added 19 points.
Neither team could put together much of a run in the first half, which featured five ties and nine lead changes. Myles Davis made Xavier's first 3-pointer and started a 10-3 spurt that put the Musketeers ahead 28-22. Rodriguez kept the Pirates in it by scoring three straight baskets and piling up 14 in the half, five shy of his career high.
Xavier led 40-36 at the break despite getting outrebounded 26-24. Heading into the game against Georgetown, Xavier and Purdue were the only teams that hadn't been outrebounded this season. Georgetown dominated the boards to get the win.
The Musketeers haven't been outrebounded in consecutive games since losses to Seton Hall and Creighton last Jan. 31-Feb. 4.
Farr had an assist and a three-point play that stretched the lead to nine points at the start of the second half, but Rodriguez stayed aggressive with the ball. His baseline jumper and three-point play got it down to 50-49.
Farr asserted himself again, making a fading jumper and a dunk that blunted the Pirates' comeback and started Xavier's decisive run. Bluiett made a fast-break layup, a 3-pointer and two free throws that extended Xavier's lead to 71-56, and the Pirates never got closer than eight points again.
SUMNER'S RETURN
Xavier freshman point guard Edmond Sumner started for the second straight game since recovering from a concussion. He played 33 minutes and had 10 points against Georgetown. On Saturday, he played 32 minutes and scored 13 points.
TIP-INS
The Musketeers haven't lost consecutive home game since 2012-13.
UP NEXT
Xavier plays at Providence on Tuesday.
