Freemantle, Scruggs Post Career Highs in Saturday's Loss to UConn

Saturday, February 13

Cincinnati, Ohio

12 p.m.

Xavier University

11-3,4-3Big East

Connecticut

9-5,6-5Big East

UConn

Xavier

Freemantle, Scruggs Post Career Highs in Saturday's Loss to UConn

02.13.21 | Men's Basketball

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Sophomore Zach Freemantle recorded a career-high 30 points and 15 rebounds

By: Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Zach Freemantle and Paul Scruggs posted career-best outings on Saturday afternoon in the Musketeers' 80-72 loss to UConn. Xavier dropped to 11-3 (4-3 BIG EAST), while the Huskies improved to 9-5 (6-5 BIG EAST).

Freemantle recorded a career-high 30 points and 15 rebounds in the loss, while Scruggs dished out a career-high 12 assists. Scruggs also matched his career-high in steals with four.

FIRST HALF

• After UConn hit the opening basket of the game, Xavier went on a 14-3 run to take a nine-point lead (14-5) at the media timeout (15:27). The Musketeers were 5-for-6 from the floor during the run with three 3-pointers.

• The Huskies responded with an 10-3 run to tie the game for the second time, 17-17, at the 10:32 mark. The two teams exchanged baskets on the next two possessions before UConn outscored Xavier, 19-11, to take its largest lead of the half, 38-30, with 43 seconds on the clock. Zach Freemantle scored a basket in the closing seconds to get the Musketeers within six (38-32) at the break.

• Zach Freemantle led all scorers with 16 points at the break on 7-for-12 shooting. He also pulled down a team-high five rebounds. UConn held a 19-17 advantage on the glass.

SECOND HALF

• Xavier outscored UConn, 17-11, to open the second half - tying the game at 49 and forcing a Huskie timeout at the 11:34 mark. Zach Freemantle capped a 9-0 run going into the UConn timeout.

• The Huskies scored six unanswered points coming out of the timeout, regaining a lead they would never relinquish. UConn led by as many as 14 points (73-59) with 2:17 left in regulation.

• Xavier responded with a 13-3 run to close within four points (76-72) with 16 seconds on the clock, but the Huskies connected on four free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win, 80-72.

NOTABLES

• Zach Freemantle posted his third career double-double, scoring 30 points to go along with 15 rebounds. He was 13-for-26 from the floor.

• Nate Johnson was the only other Xavier player in double figures, scoring 14 points on 4-for-8 shooting. He added six rebounds.

• Paul Scruggs had nine points, 12 assists and four steals. The four steals were a game-high and matched his career-high in the stat category.

• Xavier had 10 three pointers in the game, its second straight game with 10 or more three pointers. The Musketeers now have five games this season with 10 or more three pointers.

• UConn won the battle on the glass, 41-37, and scored five more points off of turnovers (15-10). The Huskies also had six more second-chance points (12-6) and 28 more bench points (41-13).

UP NEXT

• Xavier returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at St. John's. Tip-off is slated for 8:30 p.m. with the game being aired nationally on FS1.

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