Back to the Xavier Musketeers Newsfeed

Providence sends Xavier crashing out of Big East Tournament with OT win

Xavier players and head coach Chris Mack discuss the team's runaway victory over the St. John's Red Storm in the Big East Tournament. Wochit

NEW YORK – Xavier basketball will have to rinse a sour taste from its mouth before turning its focus on the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The No. 3-ranked and defending Big East Conference regular-season champion Musketeers (28-5) blew a lead that ballooned to as large as 17 points in the second half against the Providence College Friars, who forced overtime and went on to win, 75-72

The Friars (21-12), which have now surely secured an NCAA Tournament berth after beginning their week in the Big Apple on the NCAA Tournament bubble, will play the winner of the Villanova-Butler semifinal in Saturday’s Big East Tournament title match.