WEST DES MOINES - Sophomore Matt Nelson scored 12 points and Kevin Hosch added 10 Saturday as the Xavier Saints lost a tight game at Dowling Catholic, 53-50.

Amara Darboh led Dowling (2-3) with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Xavier dropped to 0-4 for the campaign.

XAVIER (50): Sampson 2 0-0 6, McDermott 2 2-5 7, Ropp 2 0-0 6, Frazier 0 0-0 0, Hosch 5 0-0 10, Valentine 1 2-4 4, Clasen 1 0-0 2, Mattke 1 0-0 3, Nelson 6 0-0 12. Totals 20 4-5 50.

DOWLING (53): Hughes 2 2-2 6, Hetherton 0 0-0 0, Hartlieb 0 0-0 0, Darboh 7 4-4 19, Haack 4 2-2 11, Green 3 0-0 7, Austin 1 1-2 4, Wisnieski 3 0-0 6. Totals 20 9-10 53.

Halftime - Xavier 24, Dowling 24. 3-point goals—C.R. Xavier 6 (Sampson 2, Ropp 2, Mattke, McDermott, ), Dowling Catholic 4 (Darboh, Haack, Green, Austin). Fouls—C.R. Xavier 13, Dowling Catholic 8.