Xavier surges late, edges Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. — Xavier guard J.P. Macura waited nearly two years for a chance to avenge a tough loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament.
No way that the 15thranked Musketeers’ veteran backcourt was going to pass up their shot Thursday.
Trevon Bluiett scored 25 points, including back-toback 3-pointers in a decisive run over the final 1:47, and Xavier pulled away late for an 80-70 victory in one of the Gavitt Tipoff Games.
Fellow senior Macura added 20 points for the Musketeers (3-0), who won at a tough road venue following two easy home nonconference victories to open the season.
The last time these teams played, Wisconsin sharpshooter Bronson Koenig hit from well beyond the arc with a couple of seconds left on the clock for a 66-63 win in the second round of the NCAA Tournament over second-seeded Xavier.
“It was heartbreaking,” Macura said. “To come out here and play team basketball … and get a win, it really feels good.”
Ethan Happ led Wisconsin (2-1) with 21 points and eight assists. But Koenig is gone, as is Nigel Hayes. Happ was a freshman starter on that 2015-16 squad.
Now Happ is the veteran leader surrounded by four new starters on a team in transition.
The savvy Bluiett took control in the closing minutes, scoring 10 of Xavier’s final 14 points. His 3 with 1:47 left bounced high off the rim before falling through the hoop to put Xavier up for good, 69-66.
He pumped his arm energetically in the direction of the Musketeers’ bench as he ran back on defense. Xavier ended the game with a 14-4 run.
“I think the last two minutes it was experience versus youth,” Xavier coach Chris Mack said. “We were very fortunate.”