No Collapse This Year: Xavier Advances

Musketeers blow 10-point lead, but pull away down stretch
By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 22, 2008 9:19 PM CDT
No Collapse This Year: Xavier Advances
Xavier guard Dante Jackson, left, pressures Purdue's Marcus Green during the first half in a second-round NCAA West Regional men's basketball tournament game Saturday, March 22, 2008, in Washington.    (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Purdue made its run today, but third-seeded Xavier refused to wilt in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, like it did last season. The Musketeers blew a 10-point second-half lead, but answered with seven straight points for an 85-78 win over the Boilermakers, reports the Cincinnati Enquirer. Last season, the Musketeers blew a double-digit lead to Ohio State in a second-round loss.

“In the huddle, we said, ‘Not this year fellas’ ” sophomore Derrick Brown said. Xavier (29-6) built a 67-61 lead with 3:25 left, then Purdue (25-9) put on a full-court press. The Musketeers hit their free throws to stay ahead, led by point guard Drew Lavender, who hit eight in the final 57 seconds. (More NCAA stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X