Xavier Snaps Losing Streak, Downing Creighton 64-61 in OT: Recap

Xavier came out on top against Creighton, coming back from down five late in regulation to win in overtime.

The game started off fast, with a combined three made three-pointers. Xavier wasn’t quite able to keep pace though, and Creighton led 10-7 with 16:31 left in the first half.

Xavier was able to take the lead however, when Tyrique Jones scored a layup and drew the foul to put the Musketeers up 11-10 with 15:48 in the first half.

It continued to be a tight game, as neither team were able to gain ground. It was a one-point contest, with Xavier leading 20-19, with 11:27 left in the first half. Xavier was able to gain a little bit of separation, but still not a lot, over the next four minutes as they led 26-23 with 7:46 left in the first half.

A quick 5-0 run from Xavier forced a Creighton timeout, as the Musketeers built up a 31-23 lead with just under seven minutes left in the first half.

Creighton made a small dent in the lead, cutting it to six, but Xavier still led 36-30 with 2:04 remaining until halftime. The score remained 36-30 through the end of the first half.

Xavier struck first in the second half on a Paul Scruggs free throw, but a 7-0 Creighton brought the game back to square one with a tie score of 37-37 with 15:09 remaining in the game.

Quentin Goodin snapped the nearly nine minute streak without a basket, but Creighton kept momentum and led 42-41 with just 11:38 left in the game. Ryan Welage hit a three to give Xavier a 44-42 lead shortly after.

A 6-0 run for Creighton gave them 48-44 lead with just 8:00 left in the game. Xavier fought back to take a 51-50 lead with about five minutes left, but a three from Creighton’s Ty-Shon Alexander with 3:56 remaining gave them the lead back, 53-51.

Creighton hit another three to go up 56-51, but a three from Marshall brought Xavier back within two with 1:26 left. Creighton hit another three to up 59-54, but Marshall made another three on the very next possession to make the score 59-57 with 44 seconds left.

A layup by Goodin off a Creighton turnover tied the game at 59-59, and after Creighton missed on the final possession, the game went to overtime.

Creighton went ahead early, scoring the first basket of overtime, but Xavier responded with a free throw and jumper from Marshall to take a 62-61 lead with 2:54 left in the overtime period. Another jumper from Marshall pushed Xavier ahead 64-61 with just 0:25 seconds left.

Creighton missed a last second three and Xavier survived 64-61.

Marshall came up big time and time again for Xavier, leading the team with 23 points while also grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists. Jones finished second on the team with 12 points. He also grabbed six rebounds, two steals, and blocked a shot.

Zach Hankins made the most of his 20 minutes, scoring 10 points, grabbing six rebounds, a steal and blocked three shots. Goodin finished with seven points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Scruggs only scored three points, but grabbed a team high eight rebounds while dishing out four assists and blocking two shots. Though Elias Harden didn’t score, he played well on the defensive end and blocked two shots. Ryan Welage hit two big threes for Xavier while also dishing out three assists and blocking a shot.

Xavier’s next game is Saturday at Providence, with tip off scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST.