CINCINNATI — Paul Scruggs scored 15 points, 11 in the final seven minutes, KyKy Tandy poured in a career-high 24, and Xavier battled past Toledo 76-73 on Friday to begin the season 3-0.
Scruggs made a driving putback off a Zach Freemantle missed 3-pointer with 2:34 left to play as Xavier wrested the lead for good, 66-65. Scruggs made a pair of free throws with five seconds remaining to ice the game, leaving just enough breathing room to survive Toledo’s Marreon Jackson banging in a 3-pointer with one second on the clock.
Nate Johnson added two more free throws with no time showing after a Toledo foul.