Xavier defeats Minnesota, will play winner of Pitt-Oakland game

MILWAUKEE – No. 6-seed Xavier defeated No. 11-seed Minnesota 65-54 in the early game at… MILWAUKEE – No. 6-seed Xavier defeated No. 11-seed Minnesota 65-54 in the early game at the Bradley Center in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Musketeers will advance to the second round to play the winner of the Pitt-Oakland game.

If Pitt wins this afternoon, it will set up a rematch from the 2009 NCAA Tournament. Last year in the Sweet Sixteen in Boston, Xavier was poised to upset the No. 1-seeded Panthers at the end of the game, but a late three and a layup by Levance Fields put the panthers ahead in the final minute.

Minnesota’s Colton Iverson pulled the Golden Gophers within one with 14:37 remaining after both a foul and goaltending were called on Xavier. But a quick three-pointer by Xavier’s Dante’ Jackson pulled the Musketeers ahead for good. And a three-pointer by Jordan Crawford with 38 seconds remaining put Xavier up by nine and sealed the victory.