Nunge’s block helps Xavier beat Kennesaw State

GREENSBORO, N.C. >> Jack Nunge blocked Terrell Burden’s driving attempt at a go-ahead layup in the final seconds, and Xavier dug out of a 13-point hole against surprising Kennesaw State to escape with a 7267 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

Souley Boum hit four clinching free throws in the final 2.6 seconds for the third-seeded Musketeers (26-9), who ran off 15 unanswered points as part of a game-ending 24-6 run. That was enough to turn away the 14th-seeded Owls (26-9) in the program’s first-ever March Madness game.

Xavier led 68-67 when Burden — who’d been successful all day with dribble penetration — turned into the paint past Jerome Hunter and appeared to have a path to the rim. The 7-foot Nunge moved over and swatted the ball into the backboard.

EAST REGION MICHIGAN STATE 72, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 62 COLUMBUS, OHIO >>

Joey Hauser scored 17 points and No. 7 seed Michigan State clamped down defensively on No. 10 seed Southern California in the second half.

Coach Tom Izzo’s Spartans (20-12) will face the winner of the VermontMarquette matchup on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16.

Joshua Morgan scored 14 and Kobe Johnson 13 to lead the Trojans (22-11), who were knocked out in the tournament’s first round for the second straight year.

MARQUETTE 78, VERMONT 61 COLUMBUS, OHIO >>

Kam Jones scored 18 of his 19 points in the second half as second-seeded Marquette beat No. 15 Vermont.

Oso Ighodaro scored 14 points and David Joplin added 12 as Marquette (29-6) pulled away in the last 10 minutes and cruised to the rout.

Dylan Penn, Matt Veretto and Robin Duncan each had 11 points for Vermont (23-11), whose 15-game win streak was snapped by the Golden Eagles.

SAINT MARY’S 63, VCU 51 ALBANY, N.Y. >> Mitchell Saxen had 17 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, and Saint Mary’s beat VCU.

Alex Ducas also scored 17 points as the fifth-seeded Gaels (27-7) advanced to the second round for the second straight year.

Ace Baldwin led 12th-seeded VCU (27-8) with 13 points.

SOUTH REGION BAYLOR 74, UC SANTA BARBARA 56 DENVER >>

Caleb Lohner scored a season-best 13 points in just 18 minutes, and No. 3 seed Baylor beat UC Santa Barbara.