Xavier Musketeers loss to No. 11 UConn Huskies takeaway

HARTFORD, Conn. – Just two days after leading scorer and rebounder Zach Freemantle was sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury, the Xavier Musketeers opened Big East play with a hard-fought 94-89 overtime loss to No. 11 on Wednesday UConn.

Xavier was a double-digit underdog, playing in the same place it lost by 43 points 11 months ago. Against the two-time defending champions, Xavier didn’t give up and ultimately fell in a game that saw 22 lead changes.

“When many teams find out they are without their leading scorer, it can destroy their hope and confidence,” said Xavier head coach Sean Miller. “Very proud of our team. Very proud of our players.”

“I see it as a positive step for us, but there are no moral victories at this level. We had a chance to potentially win the game and we didn’t.”

Xavier had a five-point lead with less than six minutes left in regulation, but UConn quickly regained the lead behind eight consecutive points from Solo Ball, who finished with 22 points.

Dante Maddox had an outstanding performance off the bench for Xavier. He tied the game twice in the final 40 seconds of regulation, first with a three-pointer, then with two free throws with 9.4 seconds left.

Xavier was stopped at the buzzer to force overtime, but there were few of those in an extra stanza in which UConn’s size and strength wore down the underdog Musketeers.

“I just wasn’t able to get a rebound or a stop down the stretch. That’s thanks to them. Our guys definitely put in a lot of effort,” Miller said.

Observations from the Xavier Musketeers’ overtime loss to No. 11 UConn Huskies

Xavier’s offense is at its best

Facing a UConn defense that struggled to defend from the perimeter in last month’s three losses at Hawaii, Xavier took full advantage with its best shooting performance of the season.

The Musketeers finished the game shooting 13 of 24 behind Maddox, who finished with 22 points and scored five points.

“We knew he (Maddox) was capable. He had a great game,” Miller said. “When you have a game like that, it gives you confidence for the future.”

He was joined in double figures by Ryan Conwell (23), Dayvion McKnight (18) and Marcus Foster (15). McKnight only had two free throws at halftime but finished the game 6 of 9 for 18 points. Xavier shot 50% from the field overall.

Xavier teeters on the edge

Wednesday’s duel had the ingredients for a big surprise. Xavier couldn’t seem to miss anything from distance, was nearly perfect at the free throw line, avoided costly turnovers, and UConn had problems from distance (5 of 18).

The difference was small over the course of the night. In his first game without Freemantle, UConn head coach Dan Hurley made sure to attack Xavier’s untested frontcourt.

UConn built an 18-point lead of 20-10. The Huskies scored 50 points on the season and dominated the offensive scoring with 14 offensive rebounds.

UConn had a 35-27 advantage in rebounds in this game, but crucial second-chance balls (13) on 14 offensive rebounds extinguished the flames of Xavier’s surprise attempt.

The Huskies got a deep three-pointer from Alex Karaban to start overtime and then hit the air with consecutive shots from Tarris Reed. A costly turnover by Xavier led to the Huskies hitting free throws with 1:41 left to take an 89-82 lead. A second chance putback by Karaban in the final 30 seconds was the dagger.

Xavier and UConn are each missing a big man

While Xavier lost to Freemantle, UConn also suffered after starting center Samson Johnson suffered a concussion in Saturday’s win over Gonzaga.

The Huskies have better options in depth as Tarris Reed Jr., the Big East’s double-double leader (4) this season, has been inserted into the starting lineup. Xavier gave sixth-year forward Jerome Hunter his first start since the 2023 Sweet 16.

Reed made the difference as Xavier was shorthanded in the frontcourt, recording his fifth double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. UConn freshman phenom Liam McNeeley was scoreless at halftime (0-3) but finished the game with 14 points.

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Xavier Musketeers loss to No. 11 UConn Huskies takeaway

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