Bluiett’s shooting leads second-half push to win
ORLANDO, Fla. — Trevon Bluiett scored 21 points and Sean O'Mara had 18 to help 11thseeded Xavier upend sixth-seeded Maryland 76-65 during the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday night.
The Musketeers move on in the West region, marking the third straight year they have advanced to the second round. Maryland, which has started three freshmen for much the season, lost in the first round for the first time since 1997.
After a slow start, Bluiett came through with 18 points in the second half to help the Musketeers rally from an early six-point deficit. Bluiett made seven shots, including five three-pointers, to energize Xavier.
Freshman Kevin Huerter led the Terrapins with 19 points. Star guard Melo Trimble had 13 points, but he made only 5 of 15 shots.
Xavier took control midway through the second half as Maryland went scoreless for nearly five minutes while Xavier pushed its lead to 61-50 with 9:03 left. Bluiett hit three three-pointers during the 14-0 run.
The Musketeers led by as many as nine points in the first half, but they hurt themselves with turnovers that Maryland used to rally for 12 points. Trimble stole the ball from Quentin Goodin at midcourt and raced for a fastbreak basket, giving Maryland a 36-35 lead just before halftime.
Despite the sluggish start by Bluiett, the Musketeers managed to build the sizeable lead in the first half. Bluiett missed his first seven shots and didn't convert his only field goal of the first 20 minutes until he hit a three-pointer from the corner with 2:52 left in the half. Bluiett was 1 of 8 from the field and 1 of 5 from three-point range, finishing the first half with three points, three rebounds, three steals and three turnovers in 19 minutes.
Xavier will play the winner of the Florida Gulf Coast-Florida State game on Saturday at Amway Center.