Following a rough week, Saint Xavier’s men’s basketball managed to turn things around this past week against Indiana University Northwest, (24) Roosevelt University, and Indiana University – South Bend. It was a complete role-reversal from the previous three games.
Their game against Indiana University Northwest was a back-and-forth affair. Neither team was able to establish superiority over the other.
They changed leads several times during the first half with Saint Xavier managing to lead by six with 4:27 left in the half. The opponents would tie the game and would head into halftime leading by three.
Indiana managed to gain a seven-point lead midway through the second-half. However, that lead would be short-lived as Saint Xavier went on a 12-0 run and now had a three-point lead of their own.
The game would remain close throughout the second-half. After Quinn Niego converted his two free-throw shots, Saint Xavier found themselves with an eight point lead, the largest of the game. When the buzzer rang for the end of regulation, the Cougars had won the game, 80-72.
Quinn Niego led the team in scoring with 25 points to go along with ten rebounds. Jared Jones had 17 while Jack Brody had 14 points and three blocks. Tyler Diehl added ten points of his own as well as three steals.
Saint Xavier’s next game was on the road against ranked-No.24, Roosevelt University. Despite their opponent being ranked and considering some of the Cougars’ early struggles, Coach O’Malley’s team was in control for most of the game.
The game was close early on in the first period but Saint Xavier began to get some breathing room at the halfway point of the first half. With 2:37 left in the half, Tyler Cahue made his two free-throws and gave Saint Xavier their largest lead of the half with eight. The two teams would head into the half with SXU leading 40-29.
Roosevelt would cut the lead into single digits in the second half but their momentum was short lived. A jumper from Niko Cahue would give Saint Xavier a 16-point lead, their biggest of the game.
The remainder of the half was quite comfortable for the Cougars as they went on to win 73-58. This win was their first win of the season against a nationally ranked opponent.
Quinn Niego once again led the team with 25 points. Jack Brody and Jared Jones had 11 points each. Jones also had five assists and three steals. Tyler Diehl had ten points and two assists.
Their final game of the week was back at home versus Indiana University – South Bend. This game would prove to be the closest of the three. The final score, 85-83, in favor of Saint Xavier is deceiving. Coach O’Malley’s time appeared to have the game under control .
They managed to build a double-digit lead in the first half and at one point had a 20-point lead. They went into halftime leading by 17, 47-30.
Even in the second-half, Saint Xavier held their opponents at bay and were able to maintain a comfortable double-digit lead. With two minutes left to play, the Cougars were still up by ten. However, this is when Indiana University – South Bend would go on a near improbable run.
With 1:33 left to play, Indiana managed to cut the lead down to single digits and after a 12-3 run, they were now down by only five points.
Saint Xavier got the lead back up to seven but that did not seem to deter Indiana. After a 3-pointer by Jeremy Jones, the opponents now found themselves down by three.
After a foul on Jared Jones and converting his free-throws, SXU made the game a two-possession game.
However, Indiana’s T.J. Brenner sunk a three and cut the lead down to two with eleven seconds left to play. A turnover by Saint Xavier gave Indiana University – South Bend one shot to either tie or win the game.
Fortunately for the Cougars, Indiana committed a turnover of their own and were not able to get a shot off. Saint Xavier went on to win with the aforementioned score of 85-83.
Quinn Niego and Jack Brody led the team with 24 and 22 points, respectively. Jared Jones contributed 12 points and had a team-high, four assists. It was SXU’s third-straight win following a three-game losing skid.
Ernesto Hernandez
Sports Editor
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