Xavier Beats Pitt 84-73, Reaches 1st Candy 16 Since 2017

March 19, 2023 admin

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Jack Nunge scored 18 factors, Adam Kunkel added 15 on 5 first-half 3-pointers, and No. 3 seed Xavier beat Eleventh-seeded Pittsburgh 84-73 on Sunday to achieve its first Candy 16 since 2017.

Colby Jones had 10 factors, 14 rebounds and 7 assists, and Souley Boum and Jerome Hunter every chipped in with 14 factors as all 5 Xavier starters scored in double digits.

Xavier distributed the ball effectively, notably early on with 17 assists on 19 baskets within the first half to construct a 48-34 lead on the break. The Musketeers completed with 22 assists.

Xavier (27-9) strikes on to play No. 2 seed Texas on Friday within the Midwest Area semifinals in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.

Blake Hinson scored 18 factors and Jamarius Burton had 16 for Pitt (24-12).

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Nunge set the tone early, dominating the paint with eight factors within the first 10 minutes whereas Jones knocked down two 3s because the Musketeers constructed a 28-18 lead.

The Musketeers then blew the sport open with a 12-2 run behind Kunkel, who made two 3s and threw an alley-oop dunk to Nunge. Kunkel adopted along with his fifth 3 of the primary half to present Xavier a 19-point lead with 1:26 left.

Nunge picked up his fourth foul with 9:35 remaining within the sport and Xavier up by 18, a play that ended with Pitt coach Jeff Capel getting slapped with technical foul that left him barking at officers. Pitt guard Greg Elliott stepped in entrance of his coach and tried to field him out on the scorer’s desk to maintain him from getting a second tech.

The Musketeers managed simply nice with out Nunge, pushing the result in 20 with 7:22 remaining on a jumper by Boum.

Nunge returned however fouled out with 3:18 left and Xavier up by 14.

Burton lower the result in 10 with an and-one off a drive by means of an unprotected lane. Elliott’s 3-pointer with 1:45 remaining trimmed Xavier’s result in eight, however the Panthers didn’t get nearer.

Pitt: The Panthers gained their first two NCAA Tournament games since 2014, beating Mississippi State within the First 4 and throttling No. 6 Iowa State within the first spherical. After holding the Cyclones to 41 factors on Friday, Pitt allowed Xavier to attain 42 within the first quarter-hour. It did not assist that huge man Federiko Federiko performed lower than a minute due to a knee drawback.

Xavier: Sean Miller has the Musketeers headed in the precise route within the first season of his second stint as their coach. After needing to return again from 13 down within the second half to beat 14 seed Kennesaw State, the Musketeers left little question about this one, coming out focused and ready to play.

Xavier will face a Longhorns staff that has gained six straight video games.

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