Jack Nunge blocked Terrell Burden’s attempt to drive on a go-ahead layup in the dying seconds, and Xavier dug out of a 13-point hole against the surprise Kennesaw State to go with a 72-67 win in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday .
Souley Boum hit four crucial free throws in the final 2.6 seconds for the third-seeded Musketeers (26-9), who lost 15 unanswered points as part of a 24-6 late-game run. That was enough to dismiss the Owls in 14th place (26-9) in the program’s first-ever March Madness game.
Xavier faces either Iowa State or Pittsburgh on Sunday in the Midwest region.
Xavier was leading 68-67 when Burden – who was successful with dribbling penetration all day – swerved past Jerome Hunter into the paint and appeared to have a path to the edge. The 7-foot nune moved over and hit the ball into the back wall.
The ball eventually made it to Boum, who hit two free throws by 2.6 seconds for a 70-67 lead. The Owls had a chance to set up a 3-pointer for the tie, but that desperate play ended when Spencer Rodgers’ right foot landed on the sideline catching the incoming pass. Boum hit two more free throws and the Musketeers could finally breathe.
There was a lot of excitement along the way. That included Boum and teammate Adam Kunkel, who exchanged words on the court as the teams began a late timeout. The pair continued to drive across the bench until teammates entered.
Jerome Hunter scored 24 points to lead the Musketeers while Boum had 17. Nunge had 10 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Kennesaw State made just two baskets in the 9:57 Finals when its chances of a March signature moment sorely diminished. When it was over, coach Amir Abdur-Rahim gathered his team in midfield for a moment before the Owls went to the dressing room and waved to their exuberant fans.
Burden and Chris Youngblood each scored 14 points to lead Kennesaw State.
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Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at https://twitter.com/aaronbeardap
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