The Bubble, if not bursted, is very thin now for Travis Steele's Ballclub.
Xavier outshot Providence 48% to 41%, outrebounded Providence 34 to 30, and outscored Providence in the second half by a score of 36 to 31. But at the end of the day, 18 Turnovers cost the Musketeers a victory they should have had on their home court.
Paul Scruggs lead all scorers in the game with 14 points, but also had five turnovers including one of the most costly with a traveling call with 15 seconds on the clock. Providence kept giving Xavier chances to win the game with turnovers of their own and missed free throws to give Xavier extra possessions.
"Turnovers were definitely the difference." Grad transfer Ryan Welage said "We made some crucial ones down the stretch, turning the ball over 18 times in league play isn't how you win."
"Our flow of the offense wasn't the same as it usually is." Kyle Castlin said. Castlin added a career high 10 rebounds. Xavier has been keen to making big comebacks at home these last 3 games, but the last two lead to victories. Xavier was down 10 with 3:44 to go in the game before Xavier 7-0 run to make it a 3 point game. Xavier now stands at 11-9 and 3-4 in the Big East before a big Saturday matinee vs Marquette.
Xavier faces now or never at this point in the season.
