Matt Stainbrook. Photo by: Stacy Podelski/1495 Sports
Everyone but the players and the Coaching staff of the Xavier Basketball team had this Musketeer team exiting early.
Thanks to a combination of playing with heart and gusto though the Number 6 seeded team is now moving on to the BIG EAST Tournament Finals thanks to a 65-53 victory over the Number 2 seeded and 23-ranked Georgetown team.
Leading the offense was Matt Stainbrook who had 20 points to go along with Nine rebounds. Remy Abell had 10 points to be the second Musketeer player to score in double-digits.
The defense for Xavier held Georgetown scoreless from the floor for over eight minutes to start the half, while hitting six of eight shots to extend the lead out to as many as 21, 49-28.
It wasn’t all easy cruising though as the Musketeers had a drought going 1-of-8 from the floor to close out the game, allowing the Hoyas to chip away at the lead, getting to within one, 60-59, with 14 seconds remaining. Xavier hit 6-of-8 free throws in the closing seconds to secure the victory.
The Musketeers become the lowest seeded team to advance to the Championship game since N0. 7 Louisville did the feat in 2012. The last time a No. 6 team was in the BIG EAST Championship Finale was in 2009 when Syracuse defeated No. 7 seed West Virginia 74-69 in overtime.
Xavier now advances to the BIG EAST Tournament finals taking on the Fourth-ranked Villanova team on Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at Madison Square Garden
1495 Sports is proud to bring the following postgame video
Xavier Men’s Basketball featuring
Head Coach Chris Mack along with Matt Stainbrook and Dee Davis
For more information on the Xavier Men’s Basketball team fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
For more information on the BIG EAST Conference fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
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