GREENSBORO, N.C. — Jack Nunge scored 18 factors, Adam Kunkel additional 15 on five to start with-half 3-tips, and No. 3 seed Xavier defeat 11th-seeded Pittsburgh 84-73 on Sunday to reach its 1st Sweet 16 given that 2017.
Colby Jones had 10 factors, 14 rebounds and 7 assists, and Souley Boum and Jerome Hunter each chipped in with 14 points as all 5 Xavier starters scored in double digits.
Xavier dispersed the ball perfectly, specifically early on with 17 helps on 19 baskets in the 1st fifty percent to create a 48-34 guide at the split. The Musketeers finished with 22 assists.
Xavier (27-9) moves on to engage in No. 2 seed Texas on Friday in the Midwest Region semifinals in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
Blake Hinson scored 18 factors and Jamarius Burton experienced 16 for Pitt (24-12).
Nunge established the tone early, dominating the paint with eight points in the first 10 minutes even though Jones knocked down two 3s as the Musketeers constructed a 28-18 guide.
Photos: Xavier beats Pitt 84-73, reaches 1st Sweet 16 given that 2017
The Musketeers then blew the video game open up with a 12-2 operate powering Kunkel, who built two 3s and threw an alley-oop dunk to Nunge. Kunkel followed with his fifth 3 of the very first fifty percent to give Xavier a 19-level lead with 1:26 left.
Nunge picked up his fourth foul with 9:35 remaining in the video game and Xavier up by 18, a perform that finished with Pitt mentor Jeff Capel acquiring slapped with specialized foul that left him barking at officials. Pitt guard Greg Elliott stepped in front of his mentor and tried using to box him out at the scorer’s table to keep him from getting a next tech.
The Musketeers managed just wonderful without the need of Nunge, pushing the direct to 20 with 7:22 remaining on a jumper by Boum.
Nunge returned but fouled out with 3:18 remaining and Xavier up by 14.
Burton slice the lead to 10 with an and-a single off a travel by way of an unprotected lane. Elliott’s 3-pointer with 1:45 remaining trimmed Xavier’s direct to 8, but the Panthers did not get nearer.
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Pitt: The Panthers received their very first two NCAA Tournament game titles since 2014, beating Mississippi Point out in the Very first Four and throttling No. 6 Iowa State in the initially round. Soon after keeping the Cyclones to 41 factors on Friday, Pitt permitted Xavier to score 42 in the to start with 15 minutes. It didn’t support that significant person Federiko Federiko performed a lot less than a moment simply because of a knee trouble.
Xavier: Sean Miller has the Musketeers headed in the ideal path in the first year of his next stint as their coach. Right after needing to arrive back again from 13 down in the second half to beat 14 seed Kennesaw State, the Musketeers left no doubt about this one, coming out centered and all set to play.
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Xavier will encounter a Longhorns staff that has gained 6 straight game titles.