Late Run Not Enough as Men's Basketball Falls to Providence

Wednesday, March 4

Providence, R.I.

6:30 p.m.

Xavier University

19-11,8-9Big East

Providence

18-12,11-6Big East

Xavier

Providence

Late Run Not Enough as Men's Basketball Falls to Providence

03.04.20 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score 30 MBBCume30

Naji Marshall led all scorers with 25 points, on a perfect 7-7 from the line.

By: Laura Topp, Xavier Athletic Communications

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Men's basketball trailed by as many as 15 points and came within one point in the final minute of regulation before falling to Providence on Wednesday night, 80-74 at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Naji Marshall led all scorers with 25 points, going a perfect 7-7 from the line. Freshman Zach Freemantle added 13 points for Xavier in 34 minutes of play while KyKy Tandy contributed 11 points on 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Musketeers fall to 8-9 in BIG EAST action and 19-11 overall.

FIRST HALF

After controlling the tip, Providence jumped out to an early 5-0 lead to open the game. Naji Marshall got the Musketeers on the board with a turnaround jumper in the paint but the Friars responded adding another quick five points and forcing an early Xavier timeout, 10-2 16:31.
Out of the media, the Musketeers combined for six points, but the Friars responded with a 7-0 run in less than a minute, to extend their lead to double digits and force another Xavier timeout, 22-8 with 13:07 in the half.
Naji Marshall converted for a floater for Xavier. On the next possession, Dontarius James forced a Providence turnover and found KyKy Tandy on the fast break for a three to bring the deficit within single digits, 22-13 at 11:47.
Providence connected for a quick four points on a jumper and two free throws, but Quentin Goodin found Dontarius James for a deep three to erase a three-minute scoring drought, 28-18 with 9:02 in the half.
Xavier added 12 points, six of those coming from Naji Marshall to inch back into the game, 42-30 at 3:39.
KyKy Tandy tallied for a triple from Tyrique Jones, to bring Xavier's deficit within single digits for the first time since the five-minute mark, 43-31 at 2:08. On the defensive end, Tyrique Jones came up for a monster block from behind and dished the rebound to Naji Marshall. Marshall drew the foul on the fast break, and connected for both free throws, 45-36 with 58 seconds in the half.
Jason Carter closed out the half hitting two free throws, to bring Xavier within seven at the break, 45-38.
Naji Marshall led Xavier with 12 points shooting 50 percent from the field and hitting 4-4 from the line.
Tyrique Jones led all rebounders on the glass with four, all on the defensive end.
At the break, Xavier's bench outscored the Friar bench 11-2. The Musketeers entered the locker room shooting 52 percent from the field going 23-12 and 85 percent from the line.

SECOND HALF

Zach Freemantle found Quentin Goodin to open the second half, with a three pointer from the top of the key, 49-41. Jason Carter forced a Friar turnover, creating a two-point opportunity for Tyrique Jones to come within four, 49-45 at 17:31.
Jason Carter created another Providence turnover and found Quentin Goodin, who then connected for the pull up triple in transition to come within three, 51-48 within 16:24 remaining.
Out of the first media of the half, Quentin Goodin found Tyrique Jones in the paint for an alley-oop, to bring Xavier within one, 51-50. Alpha Diallo extend the lead back to five for Providence, but Naji Marshall connected for a driving, reverse layup through traffic to bring it back within three, 55-52 13:06.
After five possessions of each team exchanging a bucket, Naji Marshall forced another turnover for the one-handed slam to bring Xavier within two, 62-64 with 7:34 left in the half.
Alpha Diallo added to the Providence lead with a midrange jumper. On the next possession, KyKy Tandy answered with a deep three pointer to bring the Musketeers within one.
Jason Carter drew a foul on Xavier's following possession, knocking down one of two, to bring Xavier within two with six minutes remaining.
Zach Freemantle erased a three-minute field goal scoring drought, with a turnaround jumper to cut the deficit to one.
Providence responded with a jumper from Alpha Diallo, but on the next possession Zach Freemantle brought it back within one after grabbing the offensive board. Heading into a Xavier timeout, the Musketeers trailed 75-74 with 1:39 left in the half.
Providence added six points as time expired, topping Xavier 80-74.

NOTABLE

Quentin Goodin contributed 8 points for Xavier and a game-high four assist.
Jason Carter and Dontarius James combined for eight points and six boards.
Freshman Zach Freemantle grabbed seven boards, five on the defensive end.
Xavier outrebounded the Friars 31-26
The Musketeers shot an impressive 74 percent from the line and 51 percent from the field.

UP NEXT

Xavier returns to Cintas Center on Saturday, March 7. The Musketeers will honor their seniors on the final regular season game prior to tip, against the Butler Bulldogs at 8:30 p.m. Coverage of the game can be found on FS1.

HIGHLIGHTS