With an insane week with two huge come from behind Big East victories, Xavier has indeed built a bubble.
6:43 remaining in the game Butler's Paul Jorgensen hit a 3 point field goal to give Butler a 61-51 lead. With Tyrique Jones fouled out of the game, things didn't look so good for Xavier. Then once again, Travis Steele's squad flipped the switch to take over and pull another victory out of a hat.
This was a huge must win game at the Cintas Center tonight and Xavier very easily could have let this game go, but they continued to fight despite shooting 25% from three for the game, normal sharp shooter Ryan Welage shooting just 1/9 from the field and their bench only scoring a total of 3 points. Yet somehow, they prevail and go onto victory.
Grad Transfer Kyle Castlin hit the biggest shot of the night and up to date the biggest of his career at Xavier. With 54 seconds remaining and Butler holding on to a 69-66 lead Paul Scruggs made an absolute dime of a pass to find Kyle Castlin in the corner by himself where he made a huge 3 point basket to tie the game. After a 30 second timeout Paul Jorgensen had another opportunity to be the hero for Butler but missed an open 3 that lead to a big Xavier rebound with 37 seconds remaining on the clock. Naji Marshall lead the offense in the last possession with a drive to the basket and drawing a foul on Butler's Jordan Tucker. Marshall missed the first free throw then hit the second to give Xavier the 70-69 lead with just three seconds remaining.
Butler went to Kamar Baldwin to try and win the game and he missed the shot with Zach Hankins defending him to give Xavier their second Big East win and their third Conference win of the season.
Xavier got 40 minutes of play once again from Marshall and Scruggs and today was an unbelievable game for the Sophmore Guard Scruggs. Paul lead the team in points with 23, rebounds with 8, and assists with 6. Marshall added 14 points of scoring himself with 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Up next for Xavier, a battle with the defending National Champion Villanova Wildcats. Villanova had a huge victory today in Omaha against Creighton. Villanova has won 5 games in a row and should break back into the top 25 very soon. Tip-off will be at 8:30PM EST on Fox Sports 1.
